Regional Coordinator for the Amazon
Based in Bolivia. Carmen is biologist, with a specialization in Limnology and Protected Areas Management. She holds a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Development. Her work experience, for more than 20 years, has focused mainly on Protected Areas in Bolivia and other countries. In recognition of her achievements and experience, she was granted the “Fred M. Packard International Parks Merit Award” for her contribution to protected area conservation and development for society. Carmen has extensive experience in institutional development, decentralization, environmental governance, planning and environmental policy, and biodiversity conservation at the national and local levels in Amazonian countries, especially in Bolivia. She has developed several projects to strengthen local governmental bodies, which have, in turn, promoted inter-agency cooperation at various levels. Carmen has worked with the indigenous people of eastern Bolivia to promote community management and sustainable use of natural resources for local economic development. She has produced several technical papers and methodologies for environmental management and protected areas. She is a founding member and current President of SAVIA- Association for the Conservation of the Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (an ICCA Consortium Member). Her published work, on a variety of subjects, has made an important contribution to the conservation of biodiversity, protected areas, and critical and/or priority ecosystems management. She has authored, co-authored, or edited, over 20 books in the past 10 years.