Güven Eken Email & Phone Number

With over 25 years of experience in ecology and agriculture, I am dedicated to developing and implementing innovative projects that promote nature conservation, agroecology and circular development.I hold a Doctor of Medicine degree from Ege University and have published extensively on ecological networks, biodiversity hotspots, and landscape urbanism. I am proud to be the lead author of a pivotal BioScience paper that established the criteria for Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) as an international standard for identifying crucial conservation sites.My professional journey includes serving as the nature editor for Atlas Magazine (2001-2005) and writing a column for Radikal Newspaper (2009-2012). I actively contributed to Turkey's river and nature conservation movement, particularly in Hasankeyf, through my work with Doga Dernegi, earning recognition as one of Turkey's Change Makers in May 2011.I am the founder of Doga Okulu, a nature school offering courses in ecology, conservation, and ecological anthropology. As a member of the Slow Food movement, I founded the Slow Food Mahal community in Izmir in 2017 to promote food production that harmonizes with nature.In my role at the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality (2019-2024), I lead the development of regional and international strategic plans, and I served as the founding chairperson of the Izmir Planning Agency, focused on reducing the ecological and social footprints of urban areas. In 2024, I was honored to receive the distinction of Honorary Member of Doga Dernegi - BirdLife in Turkey.Currently, I manage Sevilma Food, a family business producing agroecological products, primarily natural olive oil in the Izmir region. Additionally, I lead Izmir School, a strategic design and research company, while pursuing PhD research in Prehistoric Archaeology at Istanbul University.I am passionate about protecting and restoring the web of life in Turkey and globally, empowering communities to embrace a culture that harmonizes with nature.