IUCN WCPA Effectiveness of Protected and Conserved Areas Specialist Group

Thematic Vice Chair, Conservation Outcomes. With more than 20 years of experience in Protected Areas and other area-based conservation measures in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, Paola has an on-the-ground understanding of different protected area models. She has worked with national protected area agencies, national and international Civil Society Organizations (Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund), and local communities. Through her work, she seeks to improve biodiversity conservation outcomes and associated benefits. She has developed innovative approaches to implement adaptive management within systems of protected areas. Paola promotes the use of meetings between Agencies of Protected Areas on the topic of adaptive management, considering these exchanges as a strategy to support innovations, and contribute to an effective management of protected areas and protected area systems. From 2017 to 2022, Paola was part of the Green List Expert Assessment Group (EAGL) for Peru. Paola serves on the Steering Committee of the IUCN WCPA and co-leads the Conservation Outcomes Theme and the Defining and Measuring Conservation Effectiveness or Outcomes Task Force. She joined Foundations of Success in 2019 and provides coaching in adaptive management and conservation effectiveness to teams across the globe. She has a Master in Environmental Sciences (Uruguay), a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation (Canada), a Master in Conservation and Biodiversity Management in the Tropics (Spain) and Bachelor in Tourism with a major in Ecotourism (Ecuador).

Tobias Garstecki supports Re:wild’s partners to manage and govern protected and conserved areas effectively. This involves facilitating the development of management strategies and plans, helping to design governance and management structures, as well as capacity building for individuals and organizations involved in protected and conserved areas.

Originally from northeastern Germany, Tobias studied zoology at Free University Berlin and wrote his PhD about the coastal Baltic. Following a few years each with the British Antarctic Survey and the IUCN South Caucasus Office, he worked as a freelance consultant on protected areas planning, management and capacity development between 2009 and 2023.

Tobias is an active member of the Conservation Coaches Network Europe and has completed a training on systemic consulting and organizational development. He enjoys supporting protected and conserved areas stewards, teams, organizations and networks to chart and probe their own course towards working more successfully, and with more fun.