Bio

1987-97 and currently since 2010, Co-Founder and General Director, Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda; 1997-2010, Federal Director, Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve; 2001-09, Regional Coordinator, Full Size Global Environment Facility Project. 1996, Ashoka; 2001, Schwab Foundation. Recipient of awards: National Ecology Award, Mexico (2000); Rolex Prize for Enterprise (2002); Society for Conservation Biology (2003); Energy Globe Award (2006, 2007); Partners in Flight Stewardship Award (2007); BBVA Foundation Prize for Conservation (2007); Energy Globe (2007, 2008); Premio Compartir (2009). A group, founded by local citizens in Mexico in 1987, which operates the Biodiversity in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve Project. Its aim is to conserve the natural resources and promote the sustainable development of the Sierra Gorda through uniting citizens and institutional efforts. The group also provides environmental education to 18,000 young people and community development to women in 127 communities. It is developing a conservation economy for the area through payment for environmental services to forest owners.