Professor Hans Hurni
December 1950 – September 2026
“A visionary scientist, pioneering conservationist, devoted mentor, and tireless champion of Ethiopia's landscapes and people — above all, a cherished friend and supporter of WLRC.”
We will miss you, our professional mentor. Your guidance, wisdom, and legacy will forever remain with us, woven into our daily lives and the work you inspired us to do. You will always be remembered and deeply missed.
Rest in Peace.
It is with deep sadness and a profound sense of loss that we announce the passing of Professor Hans Hurni — a world-renowned scientist, visionary mentor, and pioneer in Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Sustainable Land Management (SLM) on September 27, 2026. Professor Hurni was a beacon of wisdom, energy, and dedication whose lifelong work transformed environmental conservation both globally and across Ethiopia.
Ethiopia held a truly special place in Hans's heart from his early youth, marking the beginning of an enduring bond with the country's landscapes, ecosystems, and communities.
Early in his career, Hans served as Warden of the Simien Mountains National Park. He was instrumental in defining and demarcating the park's official boundaries, leading the efforts that ultimately secured its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to safeguard one of the world's most unique ecological landscapes. Even in his final days, Professor Hans remained dedicated to his passion, finalizing a comprehensive trekking guide for the Simien Mountains.
Recognizing the severity of land degradation and data gaps in Ethiopia, he established the famous Soil Conservation Research Project (SCRP) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture. He established seven watershed observatories — Andit Tid, Anjeni, Dizii Afdeyu (Eritrea), Gununo, Hundelafto, and Maybar — representing major agro-ecological zones to generate long-term time-series data on soil loss, runoff, climate, land use, and agricultural productivity.
Through rigorous experimental plots, Hans established technical specifications for Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) technologies tailored to diverse agro-ecologies. He developed the seminal extension guidelines on SWC and community forestry, rolling out national training programs that continue to serve as the bedrock of modern SWC and SLM work in Ethiopia today.
To environmental scientists and catchment hydrology experts, the seven SCRP watershed observatories are legendary. These long-term research watersheds serve as living laboratories for practical landscape rehabilitation. The empirical data generated from these sites has been extensively utilized by MSc candidates, PhD scholars, and senior scientists for hydrological modelling — including the famous Hurni-modified Rainfall Erosivity equation — soil erosion assessments, and scenario analyses across biophysical and socio-economic contexts.
Working closely with national institutions, Hans was a main driving force behind the creation of the Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC) through a strategic partnership between the Ethiopian and Swiss governments. Beyond establishing the Centre, he directly mentored staff, built technical capacity, and shaped a generation of Ethiopian researchers and experts who carry his vision forward.
Hans mentored and supervised numerous MSc, PhD, and Postdoctoral scholars both in Ethiopia and abroad. Through his project development, he provided critical funding for student degrees and faculty sabbaticals. Today, many of his former advisees hold prominent leadership roles, ensuring his academic guidance and vision continue to benefit the region.
Professor Hurni was the founding visionary behind the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT), now the premier global database and compendium for SLM and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) practices recognized by international bodies like the UNCCD. He also initiated regional and global programs — including the Eastern and Southern Africa Partnership Program (ESSAP) and the NCCR North-South — which generated substantial research and educational opportunities for Ethiopian scholars.
As a leader at the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) at the University of Bern, he spent decades bridging academic research on mountain development with field-level application. In recognition of his contributions, he received multiple international accolades and honorary degrees, including an Honorary Doctorate from Haramaya University in 2008 for his distinguished service to soil and water conservation in Ethiopia.
Professor Hans Hurni was far more than an accomplished scholar; he was an inspiring leader defined by energy, generosity, and vision. His mentorship shaped generations of scientists, practitioners, and resource managers across the globe.
To honor his extraordinary professional legacy and lifelong contributions to SLM and LDN in Ethiopia and globally, WLRC management will institute annual commemorative seminars in his name here at WLRC.
His passing is a monumental loss to the global scientific community, to Ethiopia, and to all who had the privilege of working alongside him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends worldwide. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire sustainable landscape management for generations to come.
Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC)