IUCN Species Survival Commission members recognized among the Crain's Chicago Business 2024 Notable Latino Leaders!
Silvia Alvarez-Clare and Yasmin Quintana members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as 2024 Notable Latino Leaders! The feature highlights top Latino leaders in the Chicago area who demonstrate significant accomplishments within their industry. Leadership within Centers for Species Survival (CSS) is among their highest achievements.

In 2023, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) in partnership with Shedd Aquarium and The Morton Arboretum established Centers for Species Survival (CSS). CSS Trees at the Morton Arboretum, a partnership led by Dr. Silvia Alvarez-Clare, and CSS Freshwater at Shedd Aquarium managed by Dr. Yasmin Quintana are the first two Centers hosted in the same metropolitan region, these Centers aim to position Chicago as a global hub for biodiversity conservation.
Groundbreaking work safeguarding tree species worldwide
Dr. Alvarez-Clare heads the world’s first Center for Species Survival for trees (CSS Trees). She is Director of Global Tree Conservation at The Morton Arboretum, a program focused on safeguarding threatened tree species through science-based conservation work conducted with stakeholders around the world. She is a member of the IUCN SSC Global Trees Specialist Group, a National Geographic Society Explorer, and also leads the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak.

CSS Tress will propel Chicago as a national leader in tree conservation, support collaboration and capacity building with in-country partners, further biodiversity research, engage the next generation of tree champions, promote sustainable livelihoods, and mitigate the biodiversity crisis by safeguarding threatened tree species. Alvarez-Clare has expanded the arboretum's Global Tree Conservation Program to Latin America and Southeast Asia, planting thousands of trees and training partners. Her team works to safeguard and recover tree species in decline. She mentors conservationists in the U.S. and abroad.
Silvia is a tree conservation leader in an era when saving biodiversity is more urgent than ever. She has significantly increased the impact and geographical reach of the Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program to multiple countries in Latin America and South East Asia, and has helped raise public awareness of the importance of protecting trees locally, nationally and globally", said Arboretum President and CEO Jill Koski.
Remarkable contributions to protect global freshwater habitats
Dr. Quintana manages Shedd’s Center for Species Survival for Freshwater (CSS Freshwater). As a freshwater ecologist and conservation biologist focusing on fish ecology, she has contributed to investigating fish biodiversity and artisanal fisheries to improve conservation and management efforts in tropical ecosystems. She is a member of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group and the Freshwater Conservation Committee. Dr. Quintana also contributed to the most recent assessment of Central American freshwater fish conservation status by applying the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

The CSS Freshwater is an internationally recognized conservation partnership and the first in the world focused solely on freshwater environments. Quintana’s work, rooted in collaboration with partners across Central America, is helping to protect some of the world’s most essential and fragile freshwater habitats. The recognition from Crain’s shines a spotlight on her remarkable contributions to biodiversity conservation and highlights the vital role of freshwater ecosystems in sustaining life on our planet.
Dr. Quintana is an integral part of Shedd’s commitment to advancing research and conservation. As a leader in her field, she is an inspiring advocate for freshwater ecosystems. Her collaborations in Central America have allowed us to deepen our impact and create ripples of change across the globe” said Dr. Chuck Knapp, VP of Conservation Research at Shedd Aquarium.
About the Centers for Species Survival
Centers for Species Survival (CSS) are partnerships between the SSC Chair’s Office and leading species conservation organisations. They empower dedicated partner-based staff teams of at least one full-time staff member, to work closely with relevant SSC Groups in catalysing priority efforts for the Species Conservation Cycle at various geographic scales or taxonomic or thematic focuses.
The SSC works closely with CSS across NGOs, government agencies, zoos and aquariums, among other stakeholders, to understand the key networks and conservation efforts that are underway in their country or region. Many of the CSS staff receive training in IUCN Red Listing, conservation planning and other knowledge products to support the SSC network and efforts, often at the national level, identifying priority gaps and ensuring that efforts, resources and experts are effectively connected to maximize conservation species impact.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About Shedd Aquarium
The John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago sparks compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. Home to 32,000 aquatic animals representing 1,500 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from waters around the globe, Shedd is a recognized leader in animal care, conservation education and research. An accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), the organization is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and supported by the people of Chicago, the State of Illinois and the Chicago Park District. www.sheddaquarium.org
About The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned leader in tree science and research. Its 1,700-acre site includes 222,000 tree and plant specimens, representing 4,650 taxa from 40 countries. The Arboretum’s Center for Tree Science collaborates with researchers around the world, contributing scientific knowledge and technical experience to secure the future of trees. The Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program leverages the expertise of the botanical garden community to protect and restore vulnerable and threatened trees. Additional information about the Arboretum’s scientific work and how it contributes to a greener, healthier world for future generations can be found at mortonarb.org