From 2015 to 2018, I was actively engaged in two distinct projects that centered around the transformation of conventional agricultural landscapes into agroecosystems and sustainable environments within Colombia. The first of these projects was the Sustainable Amazon Landscapes (SAL) initiative, led by Dr. Marcela Quintero and supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). Within this project, my role entailed coordination of the Forest Carbon Monitoring component, overseeing the management of the geographic information database, and supervising the utilization of remote sensing and drone-based farm mapping. The second project, named the Natural Wealth Program, represented an endeavor aimed at harmonizing objectives pertaining to biodiversity conservation and rural development within tropical dry forest landscapes Validation in northern Colombia. My principal responsibility was the development of the BIOTERRA system for monitoring biodiversity and deforestation. This initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Humboldt Instituteand the government institution National Parks of Colombia (PNN). The innovative BIOTERRA system relied on participatory science and employed the SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) system, which amalgamates GIS, training materials, and patrol standards. Its overarching purpose was to facilitate the monitoring of biodiversity and the identification of various threats, including mining, logging, hunting, roadkill, and more. Additionally, it encompassed the active involvement of indigenous communities in the processes of conserving and restoring Amazonian landscapes.

Photo credit : CIAT, One-site validation of deforestation alerts