Tuesday, September 15, 12:20pm  Uris Hall G-08  Santiago Garcia is Director of Forest Partnerships at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)

Protecting forests is about much more than protecting trees. It is about people, culture, livelihoods, and understanding the local realities that shape how conservation actually works. Drawing from experiences in different countries, this session will explore what we can learn when research meets practice—and how universities, communities, governments, and conservation organizations can work together to turn knowledge into action. Rather than a traditional presentation, this will be an open and interactive conversation about what works, what does not, and where new opportunities for collaboration can emerge.