Saturday 21. of February 2009

By: goat

Héctor González-Pacheco, the Executive Director  of Costa Rican Ecologist Federation (FECON) will be leading the Monday night workshop entitled "Paradise?". His involvement and knowledge of enviromental, biological and tourisim affairs are second to none,and he is giving an indepth breakdown of the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

 

Héctor González-Pacheco - Profile

 

Conservation and community involvement.

I believe that it is my duty as a community member to take part in local organizations and be proactive in protecting the environment. To this end, I have been involved in establishing and serving as Board member in several NGO’s and local committees and have also volunteered for environmental protection and control projects like the following: Ser Kaaljok Wak Youth Conservation Association, Latin American Federation of Young Ecologists, Sarapiqui Conservation and Sustainable Development Association, Rainforest Conservation and Education Association, Development Associations of La Unión (Guápiles) and Puerto Jiménez (Osa), Saving the Sea Turtles of Osa Association (ASTO), Association for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Osa Peninsula (ADETUS), Natural Resources Control Committee (COVIRENA), Local Council of the Osa Conservation Area, and Osa Peninsula Production, Marketing and Multiple Services Cooperative. (TIERRACOOP R.L).

Education.

 

I have taught English as a Second Language to elementary, high school, college, and graduate students in both public and private institutions as well as a community volunteer in rural areas. In addition I have been in charge of planning and conducting environmental education programs and activities, and have also taught Science, Biology, Ecology, Agroecology, Physics, Chemistry, and Nature Tourism classes. Being the Coordinator of the Environmental Education Program at La Selva Biological Station required a lot of teaching and communicating with students, scientists, tourists, government officers and the general public.

Tourism.

 

Besides working occasionally for the last 20 years as a freelance ecotourism guide, I have been in charge of developing, organizing, and coordinating programs for natural history and educational groups as well as training and supervising tour guides. These tasks have involved writing documents, producing interpretive guides and trails, lecturing, researching and participating in interest groups and committees. My work as the Resident Biologist at La Selva involved managing the tourist usage of the station and coming up with innovative approaches, like the training of local naturalist guides, a process I was further able to carry on as a Guide Coordinator and Natural Resources Manager at the Rain Forest Aerial Tram. I have also consulted for policy and planning projects like the Tourism Potential Evaluation for the Golfo Dulce, (Costa Rica Tourism Board and Japan International Cooperation Agency) and the Cruise Tourism Economic and Social Impact Project with INCAE, and was a Member of Steering Committee and speaker of the Symposium, Ecology, Tourism and Local Government, organized by the Costa Rican Tourism Board in San José.

Biology and Research.

 

Even though I have not devoted most of my career to applied Biology, I have nevertheless been engaged in lab work and field research in Zoology, Botany, and Ecology. In addition, I have participated in preparing environmental impact assessments and management plans for protected areas.

Lecturing and Publishing.

 

I have prepared and given numerous presentations and lectures to various audiences on diverse subjects, and have been in charge of designing and directing several workshops and conferences. Furthermore, I have also written and edited a number of publications like brochures and posters, subject papers and audiovisual materials. Relevant examples include bulletins, flyers, posters, and interpretive guides for the OTS; publishing of journal articles in local and international periodicals (Aportes, Sierra Club Magazine, Conservation Biology); presentations in conferences, locally and abroad; and lecturing in diverse topics to various audiences (tourists, students, communities).

Administration.

In the last 15 years my job responsibilities have included directing and managing programs and organizations, overseeing administrative tasks and procedures, supervising employees and volunteers. coordinating with local, national and international, public and private organizations, conducting public relations, and writing proposals for fund raising. I have been Assistant Director at La Selva Biological Station, Assistant Manager at the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, Assistant Director for External Relations at EARTH College, Executive Officer of the  Cecropia Foundation, Vice-president. of the Local Credit Board of Osa, Board Member for the Special Committee for the Osa Community Trust, and Director of the Marine Resources Program of the Guanacaste Conservation Area.
 

 

MORE INFORMATION ON:  Costa Rican Ecologist Federation (FECON)