Omaira Bolanos

Omaira was born and educated in Colombia. In 1989, she graduated from the Universidad del Valle with a bachelor's degree in social work. In 1990, Omaira started to work for CVC, a government agency in charge of environmental programs in the southwestern region of Colombia. While working at CVC, Omaira coordinated various projects to develop participatory planning and co-management of the region's river basins among local organizations, government, and private companies. She was also in charge of the design of strategies to develop environmental education and community participation programs.

Currently, Omaira is pursuing master studies at the Center for Latin American Studies from the University of Florida. Her research concentrates in community expectations and participation opportunities for men and women in the Bolfor forest management project. Bolfor is a sustainable forestry program sponsored by the Bolivian government and the USAID.