Leon C. Braat has a Ph.D. in ecological-economics (Free University Amsterdam), and is currently Senior Researcher International Biodiversity Policy at Alterra, Wageningen-UR. Between 1975 and 1990, he was associate professor of environmental modelling and ecological-economics at the University of Florida, the Free University Amsterdam, and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, in Vienna. In this period he published widely and (co-)authored several books. In 1990 he moved to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, where he was director of the Biodiversity department. At Alterra since 2007, he leads international biodiversity projects on the science – policy interface for the European Commission, the Dutch National Government and recently also the Chinese Government. He has been a member of the Council of ALTER-Net from 2004-2007 and of the Management Board since 2009.

Leon says: "I join Eeva in sending greetings to all ALTER-Net partners and their staff. The Management Board has presented an ambitious program for the next 3 years to the Council, regarding research, policy support, dissemination of knowledge, training and research infrastructure. A major challenge is to convince the Biodiversity and ecosystem services policymakers of the European Community in Brussels, and in parallel the policy makers in the Member States, of the added value of using ALTER-Net for research efforts and policy assessments. To achieve this coordinated action on Framework Program calls for tender as well as DG Environment tenders is an important avenue. But also communicating scientific progress on the issues of biodiversity and ecosystem services is essential, both among scientists and stakeholders from all sectors. We shall soon announce the members of the new Management Board and I look forward to working together with them, with Jiska van Dijk, the ALTER-Net coordinator and q.q. member of the Management Board and with the Chairman of the Council, Eeva Furman."

- Leon is Senior Researcher, International Biodiversity Policy at Alterra, Wageningen-UR, the Netherlands