Esteban Alvarez-Dávila

I am a forestry engineer from the National University of Colombia, with a master’s degree in biology from the University of Antioquia (Colombia) and a Ph.D. in Ecology, Restoration, and Conservation of Ecosystems from the University of Alcalá (Spain). With over 30 years of experience, I have focused my work on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, collaborating closely with rural, peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities across all regions of Colombia. My experience combines scientific research, environmental management, and community strengthening. For 16 years, I coordinated the Socio-Environmental Impact Management Program at one of the largest electric power transmission companies in South America, leading biodiversity assessments, the design of compensation measures, and prior consultation processes to ensure fair compensation for affected communities.

Afterwards, I have worked as a consultant, researcher, and lecturer with institutions such as the Institute for Biological Resources Research (Colombia), the Medellín Botanical Garden, WWF, Fundación Natura, AGRITEAM, and ACDI/VOCA, as well as several national universities.

Between 2022 and 2025, I served as Senior Environmental Specialist for the "Juntanza Étnica" Program (USAID – ACDI/VOCA), supporting 200 ethnic organizations in strengthening environmental governance, economic opportunities, and risk management. Since 2001, I have also led the Colombian Forest Monitoring Network (Col-Tree), promoting research, training, and community participation on ecosystem services and climate change issues, in collaboration with international networks such as RAINFOR (www.rainfor.org).

I am currently affiliated with the ConVida Foundation (www.fconvida.org), where I lead a research group focused on understanding the interrelationships between ecosystem services and climate change.

My work has always been driven by a strong interest in promoting sustainable biodiversity use, including the medicinal and food uses of wild plants, the management of resilient production systems, and ecological restoration as a tool for community well-being and climate adaptation.