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.

Santiago Garcia is Director of Forest Partnerships at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). He has more than 20 years of experience working on forest conservation and climate action across different regions of the world, bringing together governments, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, researchers, and conservation organizations. He holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Conservation Leadership from Colorado State University. He is also a Regional Affiliate Scholar with the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program at Cornell University’s Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, where he continues to collaborate on research and initiatives connecting conservation, people, and policy.