Jhojanna is a woman forest ranger in love with conservation. Eight months ago she courageously and enthusiastically started working as a forest ranger in the ProAves Hormiguero de Torcoroma Nature Reserve in Colombia’s eastern Andes. Jhojanna is a mother of two daughters – 19 and 9 years old– and as a professional in forestry engineering and tourist guiding, she has become a role model to the community for conservation and her love for wildlife.
Raised in the municipality of Ocaña in North Santander, Jhohanna was raised in the countryside and learned to love and respect animals, nature, and wildlife from her grandfather. In her work as a forest ranger, she uses her extensive knowledge to care for the reserve by protecting the ecosystems, caring for the reserve’s species, and monitoring wildlife.
Jhojanna describes, “What I like most about my work as a forest ranger is environmental education and walking through and monitoring the reserve.” She recalls, “I really like animals because of my upbringing in the countryside. My grandfather was a person who really respected nature and animals, and he passed that on to us, and even onto his great-grandchildren.”
Jhojanna, Woman Forest Ranger of the ProAves Hormiguero de Torcoroma Nature Reserve
Jhojanna has always been interested in educating children, young people, and community members about the importance of conservation and how they can participate. Throughout her career she has carried out a variety of activities such as ecological walks, bird expositions, visits to rural schools, lectures, and other conservation initiatives related to the nature reserve.
For Jhojanna, carrying out these activities is very meaningful; she enjoys her work every day and complements it with community activities. In addition, she is part of the Red Animal Foundation, a community organization dedicated to spaying and neutering stray cats and dogs.
Woman Forest Ranger Jhojanna is a key figure for protecting the habitat of the majestic Recurve-billed bushbird (Clytoctantes alixii)
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ProAves Reserve Hormiguero de Torcoroma
The ProAves Hormiguero de Torcoroma Nature Reserve, located in the municipality of Ocaña, is known for its incredible biodiversity. Many important species live here such as the Recurve-billed bushbird (Clytoctantes alixii) – EN, the Black-fronted wood quail (Odontophorus atrifrons) – VU, the Grey-throated Warbler (Basileuterus cinereicollis) – NT, the Moustached brushfinch (Atlapetes albofrenatus) – LC, and the Golden-breasted fruiteater (Pipreola aureopectus) – LC.
Additionally, there are several key mammals that inhabit this region, such as the Lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) – LC, the Brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) – LC, the Brown-eared woolly opossum (Caluromys lanatus) – LC, and the tropical rainforest mammal Kinkajou (Potos flavus) – LC, among others.
For Jhojanna, her binoculars, field guides, and her personal experience and knowledge are her must-haves when it comes to her work in the nature reserve. One of her favorite activities is to observe the beauty and diversity of the birds she comes across. Her favorite is the Inca jay (Cyanocorax yncas), native to the Andes of South America, which is a striking species known for its intense yellow, green and blue colors.
Jhojanna’s strength, love and commitment to caring for nature have led her to become an inspiration for other women in her region. She states that teaching by example is, “the best conservation message that we can give to our children, neighbors and family.” She expresses, “If I take care of nature, others will also be concerned about doing it.”
For ProAves and Women for Conservation it is important to empower and provide women with opportunities to actively participate in protecting nature. Join our mission to empower our next women forest ranger, to lead conservation initiatives that protect the endangered wildlife on our planet.
