Ilka Herbinger

Ilka Herbinger currently serves as the Deputy Director and Director of Environmental and Social Safeguards at Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF), where she plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable landscape restoration and conservation finance. In her leadership capacity, Ilka oversees the development and implementation of robust environmental and social safeguard frameworks, ensuring that LLF’s investments align with best practices in biodiversity conservation, community engagement, and climate resilience. Her expertise in strategic planning and project management is instrumental in guiding the fund’s initiatives to generate positive ecological and social impacts across landscapes in Africa and beyond.

Since joining the management board of LLF in April 2023, Ilka has been actively involved in shaping the fund’s strategic direction, fostering partnerships, and securing sustainable funding streams. Her background in sustainability, environmental research, and NGO management enables her to effectively navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, balancing ecological integrity with socio-economic development. She is also deeply committed to integrating innovative approaches such as landscape-based solutions, ecosystem services valuation, and climate adaptation strategies into LLF’s projects.

Beyond her role at LLF, Ilka has contributed her expertise to several foundation boards and steering committees focused on protected area management, including the Dzanga Sangha Protected Area Complex and Salonga National Park. These experiences underscore her longstanding dedication to biodiversity conservation and protected area governance. With her comprehensive skill set encompassing project management, strategic planning, and environmental consciousness, Ilka Herbinger continues to be a driving force in advancing sustainable landscape investments that promote ecological integrity, social inclusion, and long-term resilience.