Santiago Espinosa, MA
University of Florida
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Home Country: Ecuador

Santiago is enrolled in a Master of Science program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. After finishing his studies in biology at the Pontifica Universidad Catolica, Santiago worked with an NGO, Salud, Infancia, Genero y Ambiente (SIGA), and two indigenous organizations (Federacion de Indigenas Campesinos de Imbabura, and Ecuarunari. With these organizations he was participating in the design and implementation of environmental education programs and also in the assessment and monitoring of natural areas and crop fields owned by indigenous communities that were polluted mainly by industrialized activities.

Currently, The objectives of Alejandro’s studies are to complement his education with a more interdisciplinary formation, including curriculum courses related with social sciences, anthropology, economy, education, natural resource management and policies, between others. His experience in the rural areas of Ecuador has shown the need to work with local communities to achieve conservation goals. His current Masters research project is an evaluation of the educational and participatory component of a program to conserve the Andean bear. This program, directed by the Ecuadorian NGO EcoCiencia, began in 1997 with the indigenous community of Oyacachi, located inside the boundaries of the Ecological Reserve Cayambe-Coca. The objective of Alejandro’s research is to evaluate if there are changes (positive or negative) in the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of the people of the community, after they have participated in the Andean bear program, and also to see how socioeconomic aspects are related with the attitudes and behaviors of the people toward the conservation of bears.