EcoLogic in Action: Recent Highlights from the Field and Beyond

Over the past few weeks, the EcoLogic team has been actively engaging in conversations and collaborations across borders, sharing our work, learning from others, and strengthening the movement for community-led conservation. Here are a few recent highlights we're excited to share:

Sharing Our Work with Lifelong Learners

Our Executive Director, Barbara Vallarino, had the opportunity to present EcoLogic's work and impact to more than 50 participants during a November 6 session of the Science & Environmental Academy hosted by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (OLLI/UNCW). The engaged audience of lifelong learners with a deep interest in environmental issues asked thoughtful questions and brought valuable perspectives to the conversation. Pamela Keegan, Chair of the Academy, noted “we applaud EcoLogic’s approach to work with Mesoamerican rural and Indigenous populations in the restoration and conservation of tropical ecosystems."

We're especially grateful to Warren Darrell, who helped make this connection possible. Warren is a longtime EcoLogic volunteer and mentor to Environmental Science students at UNCW, as well as a dedicated educator, engineer, and environmental advocate. We appreciate his ongoing support and commitment to our mission.

Exploring Innovation with Global Nature Watch

Barbara and Marco Acevedo, EcoLogic’s Program Officer in Mexico, also participated in Introducing Global Nature Watch: AI-Powered Insights for Nature, the November 20 launch of the Global Nature Watch prototype, a new platform developed by the World Resources Institute to improve transparency and accountability in conservation.

They engaged directly with the tool’s methodology, data layers, and user interface, offering reflections from the perspective of an organization working closely with rural and Indigenous communities. We're excited to see how this technology can support community-centered conservation strategies in Mesoamerica and beyond.

Representing EcoLogic at Guatemala's Protected Areas Congress

Meanwhile, our team in Guatemala participated in the National Congress on Protected Areas (Congreso Nacional de Diversidad Biológica y Áreas Protegidas), a key space for dialogue among policymakers, NGOs, researchers, and Indigenous leaders. It was a significant opportunity to represent the work of our local partners and highlight the vital role of community governance in forest protection.

A Conversation on Common Ground

We were proud to see Fernando Recancoj, EcoLogic Field Coordinator in Totonicapán, contribute to a screening and discussion of Common Ground, a 2023 documentary exploring regenerative agriculture and ethical land stewardship. Fernando joined a panel of local practitioners and environmental leaders to discuss how communities in Guatemala are working to heal the land through traditional knowledge, forest restoration, and sustainable farming practices.

These moments of connection remind us how much is possible when we learn from one another and work together toward a healthier planet. Every conversation, presentation, and partnership strengthens our shared effort to protect forests and support the communities that steward them.

Welcoming International Visitors to Livingston

On November 14, EcoLogic and our local partner APROSARSTUN hosted a group of travelers from Belgium, organized by Travelbase and the Butterfly Foundation, for an afternoon of dialogue and learning in Livingston.

Following the visit, the Butterfly Foundation made a generous donation to support community-identified priorities, including improving the water system in Blue Creek, equipping the community center in Plan Grande Quehueche, and repainting the primary school in El Rosario.

We’re deeply grateful to the Butterfly Foundation, Travelbase, and the travelers who took the time to connect with our work and our partners. Their generosity and openness made this exchange truly meaningful!