We have lost our Grandpa Leaf, a great lover of nature and humans

TEMA Foundation Founding Honorary President, Grandpa Leaf Ali Nihat Gökyiğit, who devoted most of his life to environmental studies, especially green cover, soil and biological diversity, passed away at the age of 98. Ali Nihat Gökyiğit was laid to rest on Thursday, January 26 at the Edirnekapı Sakızağacı Cemetery with the participation of his family, friends, TEMA Foundation volunteers and many nature lovers.

With his companion Hayrettin Karaca, Ali Nihat Gökyiğit founded TEMA Foundation, one of the largest non-governmental organisations operating in the field of environment in Türkiye, at the age of 67. He was both the leader and supporter of the TEMA Foundation's first projects on biodiversity and rural development. A. Nihat Gökyiğit, who is also the founder of the Tekfen Group and the ANG Foundation, was also the founder of the Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden and the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the important cultural activities that serve world peace.

A. Nihat Gökyiğit, who was awarded an honorary consulate by Georgia and Kyrgyzstan and an honorary doctorate by Çukurova, Boğaziçi and Gaziosmanpaşa Universities, was also awarded the Presidential State Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Award by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Finally, he received the "Galatasaray Award" with the theme of "Environment" from the Galatasaray Association.

He believed that income-generating production should be environmentally friendly

Our Founder, aiming to reach a green and liveable world, initiated the Camili Rural Development Project by not being indifferent to the letter sent to the TEMA Foundation by the villagers of Camili (Macahel) in Artvin's Borçka district, describing the economic and social distress they experienced. Mr. Gökyiğit believed that income-generating production should be friendly to nature. Thanks to the actions taken, the region was introduced, additional livelihoods were provided to the people, and UNESCO contributed to the inclusion of Camili in the World Biosphere Reserve area. In addition, the pure Caucasian bee, which was thought to be extinct, was found with the studies carried out in the region, and income was created for the town with the breeding queen bees produced. The project also pioneered Camili to become Turkey's First Biosphere Reserve and was awarded an award at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

“We are deeply sad by the loss of a sage of nature”

Underlining that Mr. Ali Nihat Gökyiğit is a true lover of nature, Ms. Deniz Ataç, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of TEMA Foundation, said, “We are deeply sad by the loss of a sage of nature. Mr. Ali Nihat Gökyiğit showed us in the best way what a person can achieve by believing and loving, with his non-stop work for nature throughout his life. I believe that there are many lessons that we can all learn from the life of our esteemed fellow, Ali Nihat Gökyiğit. There is no doubt that humanity and nature will gratefully remember our Founder and his efforts. Due to the importance he attaches to the issue of biodiversity, we will continue the Nihat Gökyiğit Biodiversity Project, launched in 2021 and named after him. With more than 1 million volunteers in 81 provinces, we will continue on our work with faith to protect this valuable legacy left to us by our Grandpa Leaf, who said, 'It is my greatest wish for the TEMA Foundation to survive'. Condolences to everyone and nature."

We are raising hope!                                                                          TEMA Foundation