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PORTRAIT

that she then applied to her commitment to the plunge. She put an end to her career in is personally involved as a volunteer tourist
the environment. finance and the world of coaching to focus guide and instructor during whale watching
entirely on the protection of the environment excursions, sharing her knowledge of the
A passion for the seabed resurfaces and the marine world. “If we want to save our importance of whales in our ecosystems and
Despite the many positions of responsibility planet and protect humanity, we must start marine conservation. As association president,
that Berit has held with merit throughout her by preserving the oceans and those who are she embodies the determination and energy
career, something important - almost vital - at the base of the food chain. It is the large needed to lead a fight as crucial as preserving
marine mammals, particularly whales, that are the marine environment.
“My main goal is increasingly threatened and for this reason, I Making hay while the sun shines
have chosen to focus my actions mainly on
to honestly and these species by creating TAF - The Animal Although Berit Legrand has, over the years,
acquired the knowledge and skills necessary
Fund. Since then, Berit and her TAF team have
respectfully raise devoted themselves to the cause and come up to find creative solutions and deal with
public awareness with many initiatives to protect the oceans and environmental problems, she does not intend
marine life. The association is very active and
to stop there – in fact quite the contrary. “It’s
of the urgency of has already opened four new offices abroad the fight of a lifetime. You must never give
and welcomed new administrators. They have
up - there is far too much at stake to give up.”
working together to also established new partnerships, including At 61, the association founder is also thinking
find a sustainable with universities in London and Germany, and about the future. “I hope that TAF – The
Animal Fund will last over time. I invest myself
collaborated with Invisible in Hong Kong for a
and healthy future” special issue of #EcoWithAttitude. TAF has also body and soul so that the association can
do more and
visited several places
such as the Hemingway more. We
Club in the Dominican “We could do a have already
was missing. Growing up in a small coastal Republic, where they c arr ie d
village in Denmark, she developed a deep pledged to promote lot more if we had out many
connection with the ocean from an early age. alternatives to plastic p r ojects
“I remember my first swimming experiences bottles, as well as more help.” but it is not
like it was yesterday. I almost knew how to Silver Bank, where they enough. We
swim before I could walk,” she says with a were able to observe could do a
smile. Being near the sea strengthened her humpback whales up lot more if
attachment to this fragile ecosystem and she close and deepen understanding of their we had more help. We are a small structure,
has always been determined to contribute to behaviour. Berit Legrand’s passion for the so we are constantly looking for aid, specially
its preservation. In 2015, after settling down protection of the environment is not limited financial aid. It’s not always easy but I won’t
in Monaco, Berit Legrand decided to take to actions of awareness and education: she give up. People are becoming increasingly
aware of environmental issues and the
urgency of the situation. We must work in
the same direction to obtain notable results.
The help of everyone is essential,” insists
Berit Legrand. Just as determined as she
was at the beginning, Berit Legrand falls back
on the values instilled in her by the martial
arts she has practised since childhood. It is
these same values that today drive her fight
for the conservation of the ocean and its
marine life; and even if there is still a long
way to go, Berit Legrand is ready to take up
all the challenges that come her way. For her,
“there is no compromise when it comes to
protecting the environment and marine life.”
Berit Legrand is a woman who proves that
passion, coupled with continuous action, can
truly make a difference in the world and her
story is one of unwavering commitment to a
cause that concerns us all: the preservation
of our precious environment.

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