From right to left: Sara Inés Lara, Founder of Women For Conservation and Executive Director of ProAves; Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia, Ambassador of Colombia to the United States; Paloma Carrillo, Operational Director and Accountant of ProAves Colombia; Juan Diego Villa, Director of Legal Affairs at ProAves.
Protecting the environment and promoting women’s leadership are highly significant global issues, highlighted recently at the Colombian Embassy in D.C. Women for Conservation Founder Sara Inés Lara had the opportunity to promote women in conservation in the context of Colombia-United States relations at the Green Diplomacy event hosted by the Colombian Embassy on Capitol Hill. Women for Conservation and partner organization ProAves were able to share their input regarding progress and challenges in combating climate change and deforestation.
This is not the first time that Sara Inés Lara has shared Women for Conservation’s important work on Capitol Hill. Last year Sara met with Ecuadorian Ambassador Ivonne Baki for an exciting Earth Day celebration focused on women in conservation. Click here to watch Sara’s inspiring speech for Earth Day 2023. Sara Inés Lara also spread the importance of women in conservation on the global stage this year at the World Congress on Environmental Education (WEEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The event was hosted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Colombia’s General Environmental Law, or Law 99, which established Colombia’s Ministry of Environment. This important event focused on environmental conservation and protection of renewable natural resources, and addressed key issues such as climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. The efforts made by institutions, community organizations, NGOs, and the general population in environmental protection were highlighted throughout this memorable event.
Women for Conservation works hand in hand with partner organization ProAves to help promote women’s leadership and grassroots community projects in communities near 14 nature reserves. Over 25 years, ProAves has established a network of 27 nature reserves safeguarding Colombia’s most threatened species, including endemic, resident, and migratory birds, as well as mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and diverse flora and fauna. Participating in this significant biodiversity protection event and understanding the challenges and initiatives for conservation allowed both Women for Conservation and ProAves to network with various organizations to preserve critical ecosystems and wildlife.
We commend the Embassy and the Government for their great efforts and commitments to conserving Colombia’s natural resources. Our participation in this event continues to inspire us to carry out conservation, research, and environmental education efforts that expand scientific knowledge and empower communities, which are crucial for biodiversity protection, especially birds.
