In the framework of International Women’s Day, Women for Conservation will participate in a virtual panel on Wednesday, March 11, at 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 11:00 a.m. (PT), in partnership with Population Connection, to discuss the relationship between population dynamics, women’s empowerment, and environmental conservation.
During the event, Hannah Evans, Senior Analyst at Population Connection, will present an analysis of demographic trends in Colombia, accompanied by photographs and testimonies gathered during her visit to Women for Conservation’s project sites last November.
The panel will also feature Sara Lara, Founder and President of the organization, and Isabella Cortés Lara, Executive Director.
In an intergenerational dialogue, they will reflect on the impact of the organization’s programs in biodiverse regions where women lead conservation efforts, environmental education initiatives, sustainable livelihoods, and community strengthening processes.
They will also share insights from their participation in the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) 2025, held in Bogotá, and highlight the importance of integrating reproductive rights, gender equity, and environmental protection into a unified development agenda.
Since the founding of Women for Conservation in 2019, we have worked to strengthen women’s leadership as a central pillar in protecting endangered species and strategic ecosystems. Since 2020, our organization has reached nearly 3,000 participants—primarily women and girls—through our family planning program.
The panel will offer an opportunity to learn firsthand about these experiences and to celebrate the role of women as leaders in conservation.
Register here
Panelists
Hannah Evans
Senior Analyst, Population Connection
Hannah Evans works at the intersection of population dynamics, social justice, and environmental sustainability. At Population Connection, she develops presentations and academic-style resources focused on the links between global population growth, access to health care and education, women’s empowerment, and climate adaptation.
Her work examines the structural drivers of high fertility rates and how they intersect with poverty, resource use and consumption, population pressures, women’s rights, and environmental challenges intensified by climate change.
Before joining Population Connection, she served as an adjunct professor in Women’s Studies and worked on sustainable agriculture and public health program development in Honduras and Panama, as well as research on food security in California. She holds a BA in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Conservation and Political Science, and a Master’s degree in Political Ecology from San Diego State University.
Sara Lara
Founder and President, Women for Conservation
Sara Lara is a conservationist and co-founder of Women for Conservation. With more than two decades of experience, she has led innovative initiatives to protect endangered species and strengthen women’s leadership in conservation.
A pioneer in integrating a gender perspective into environmental programs, she has advanced the creation of strategic nature reserves and the incorporation of reproductive rights into conservation agendas. She continues to guide the organization’s strategic vision, mentor emerging women leaders, and build international partnerships.
Isabella Cortés Lara
Executive Director, Women for Conservation
Isabella Cortés Lara is a young conservationist and the current Executive Director of Women for Conservation. She leads the organization’s global mission to strengthen women’s leadership across some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems.
With experience in youth leadership, community-based conservation, and international advocacy, she advances training processes for women from the Global South as environmental guardians. Her intergenerational approach brings renewed energy and long-term vision to the conservation movement grounded in equity.
