Happy New Year and all forms of Season Greetings to our members throughout the Latin America and Caribbean region and further afield.
The Latin America and Caribbean Section (LACA) of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is excited to welcome four new people to its Board of Directors for the 2024-2026 term. They are:
- Cristhian Clavijo, Director of Chapters
- Eneas Konzen, Director of Membership and Nominations
- Estefania Sánchez Flores, Director of Education
- Karla Pelz, President elect
Cristhian Clavijo is the new Director of Chapters. Cristhian is in love with freshwater biodiversity, and his academic background and PhD lay in this area. He currently works at the NGO Vida Silvestre in Uruguay. Cristhian has been involved with LACA and the SCB for many years through a long participation in the Cono Sur chapter of the section, for which he was president.
Eneas Konzen is the new Director of Membership and Nominations of the board. He holds a position as adjunct professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brasil, where he conducts his interdisciplinary research with a focus on endangered palms and their conservation. Eneas seeks to expand his keen interest in fostering a stronger conservation community in LACA through this involvement with the board.
Estefania Sánchez Flores is LACA´s new Director of Education. Estefania graduated of her MSc in Conservation Biology in Ecuador and went to Spain to pursue a degree in Natural Resources and Sustainable Management, which she is currently completing. Her hearth and hopes for conservation are in environmental education, which she approaches from multiple disciplines, including arts.
Karla Pelz will be the new President elect. Karla holds a Professor position at Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in Mexico, where she investigates in topics such as species and habitat conservation. She has served the board for many years across multiple roles and positions, and seeks to continue contributing to LACA through this position.
The new board members will join the existing ones in leading and supporting the activities and initiatives of LACA.
LACA is also grateful to the board members who are stepping down from their roles: Janeth Lessmann, Sofía Agudelo, and Javier Fajardo. They have made a significant and lasting impact on LACA and its mission, and the section looks forward to continue working together in the future. LACA also extends a special thank you to all of those who participated in the LACA Board elections.
We look forward to continue working with and for LACA membership in the new year. Thank you for being part of LACA and SCB. Together, we can make a difference for conservation in our region and beyond.
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Nigel Noriega
Sustainable Innovation Initiatives
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