IBERÁ CENTER FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP (CORRIENTES, ARGENTINA) ANNUAL REPORT (February, 2015) Organized by: Financed by:
IBERÁ CENTER FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP (CORRIENTES, ARGENTINA) ANNUAL REPORT (February 2015) The following report presents the results obtained after a year of work on the proposal for the creation of a Center for Training Leaders in rewilding and management of protected areas. The Center operates within the Reserva Natural Iberá, located in the province of Corrientes, Argentina. This site currently belongs to The Conservation Land Trust (CLT) and it will be eventually donated to the National Government and become part of the future Iberá National Park. Mission: To create a model program and center to train young and experienced professionals from Northern Argentina and neighboring regions on hands-on large-scale ecosystem restoration and conservation. Specific objectives: (a) to identify and train young professionals in the multiplicity of tasks, tools, disciplines and visions needed to carry out successful conservation projects b) to provide training to professionals already working in conservation projects so that they can be more effective in their performance (c) to promote ties and exchange of visions and strategies among the different players and stakeholders involved in projects of conservation (d) to generate theoretical knowledge from examination, analysis and reflection on successful cases of management of natural ecosystems (e) to strengthen a shared conservation philosophy and unifying vision within the team of CLT Iberá and other allied organizations (f) to motivate and encourage public officers involved in the process of conservation, who often work hard on issues that due to certain bureaucratic characteristics, are not given the relevance they deserve
Implementation of the proposal: The following activities were developed in order to achieve the proposed objectives: A) the design and implementation of intensive training courses, B) the creation of a program to train young professionals through assistantships, and C) the design and development of online educational broadcasting derived from the previous activities. A) Intensive theoretical and practical training courses Throughout 2014 seven courses were designed and conducted through which training was provided to 83 people (many of them participated in more than one training experience) from different regions of Argentina and different areas of conservation. The participants hold various roles in conservation work. The course participants came from different parts of Argentina: the north (provinces of Corrientes, Formosa, Misiones, Chaco and Salta), the centre (Buenos Aires City and the provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa and Córdoba), and the south (Río Negro, Santa Cruz and Neuquén). Two foreigners also attended the courses; one of them was from the neighbouring country of Uruguay, and, the other one, from El Salvador. Among the students included, there were participants belonging to the NGOs (for example CLT, Aves Argentinas, Banco de Bosques and Flora y Fauna Argentina), the government, and the private sector (i.e. tourism operators). There were other participants: biologists and vets dealing with wildlife management, wilderness guides and rangers, natural areas administrative clerks, politicians public relations officers, journalists, conservation areas tourism promoters, and general public (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Participants of the courses held in 2014 by the Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership. Distribution of the 83 participants based on: A) place where they came from, B) field of conservation in which they work and C) their role in conservation work. A- PLACE WHERE THEY CAME FROM B- CONSERVATION FIELD Country Centre South Argentina North Argentina Other Countries Academic Government NGOs Independent 8% 2% 21% 9% 5% 18% 69% 68% C- ROLE IN CONSERVATION Administration Wildlife Management and Research Ranger Tourism and Comunication 12% 19% 28% 41% Most of the courses were developed in the properties owned by CLT (Estancia El Socorro and Estancia El Tránsito both of them located in Iberá, Corrientes) and in the neighbouring village Colonia Carlos Pellegrini which is located 30km from the CLT properties and represents a notable example of community that has reached high levels of quality of life thanks to its proximity to the reserve. One of the courses was held in the city of Buenos Aires. Topics treated at the courses were quite diverse (leadership, team relationships, conservation philosophy, use of GPS, etc.), and all of them were focused on providing tools to improve job performance of actors from different areas of conservation. Below follow short descriptions of the courses. For full reports, annexes have been added and are indicated next to the course name.
1) Introduction to the Production of Nature (see Annex 1) Teacher: Ignacio Jiménez Date: 7th, 8th and 9th May It took place in: Colonia Carlos Pellegrini and El Socorro Number of participants: 23 Brief description: Conserve biodiversity is to produce vibrant ecosystems and local development. This course aims to introduce the basic principles of the production of nature and to show concrete examples of this type of production within Reserva Natural Iberá and elsewhere. 2) Practical Learning from the Conservation Maestros (see Annex 2) Teachers: Sofía Heinonen, Marc Stalmans, Juan Jiménez, Pete Gober and Ignacio Jiménez Date: 22th to 27th June It took place in: San Nicolás, San Alonso, El Socorro and Colonia Carlos Pellegrini. Number of participants: 19 Brief description: Conservation Maestros are professionals with more than two decades of experience in leading successful complex conservation programs. In June 2014, four of these people visited Iberá, each one representing a different Conservation Tradition (American, European, African and Argentina). They reflected on their experiences trying to identify the success keys in conservation programs and shared them with other meeting participants.
3) Conservation Phylosophy (see Annex 3) Teachers: Marcelo Viñas, Guillermo Folguera, Gabriela Klier and Sofía Heinonen. With the participation of Douglas Tompkins Date: 12th and 13th August. It took place in: El Socorro Number of participants: 20 Brief description: Environmental movement is actually a very heterogeneous set of groups with a variety of rationalities, interests and fundamental philosophies and sometimes they are even antagonistic. In our opinion the main problem lies in a fundamental conflict that permeates all fields of human activity, and is the consideration of the human being position in nature: is in or out. This course aims to present some conceptual tools that enable us to analyze these two positions. 4 Interdisciplinary Leadership for the Production of Nature (see Annex 4) Teachers: Jorge Gibbons and Ignacio Jiménez Date: 22th to 26th September It took place in: Colonia Carlos Pellegrini Number of participants: 25 Brief description: This is an intensive course aimed at professionals who have a high impact on the field or "conservation leaders". The course presents a holistic approach to complex conservation processes management for a period of five days by means of introducing, linking and discussing issues related to research, promotion, planning, regulations, evaluation, conflict management, organizational structures and adaptive leadership. In parallel, the course works on concepts and tools aimed at the efficient management of work conservation teams.
5) Oral Narrative: Telling better stories (see Annex 5) Teacher: Gabriela Lubarsky Date: 27th and 28th October It took place in: City of Buenos Aires Number of participants: 16 Brief description: Narrating is to create realities. Who better than storytellers to teach us the way to tell charming, compelling, mobilizing or inspiring stories. The aim of this course is to pass on the enthusiasm and to provide tools for storytelling to the CLT staff who work on the narrative on a daily basis. 6) Introduction to GPS use and Data Computarization (see Annex 6) Teacher: Cristián Schneider Date: 18th and 19th November It took place in: El Tránsito Number of participants: 21 Brief description: This is a basic course about GPS use, aimed at wilderness guides, naturalists and volunteers involved in data collection in the fields for CLT. The idea is to promote the GPS use and reach an agreement on the way to save and organize data, so that it can be compiled and captured in cartographic maps. These maps will be shared and used by those who coordinate the activities mentioned above.
7) Team Relations (see Annex 7) Teacher: Jorge Gibbons Date: 4th and 5th December It took place in: Colonia Carlos Pellegrini Number of participants: 31 Brief description: Teamwork requires work. Analysis of purposes and assumptions, the cultivation of identity and membership within a group can markedly improve the way the team run the job. Starting from the explanation of basic assumptions, premises and values within a team, clarification of goals and development of a shared vision is achieved. This is the motive force that stimulate to the team to secure results. The purpose of this course is to provide a forum for communication and reflection on the development of work to improve trust and commitment, and to promote synergy and creativity within the technical team of CLT. The courses were held successfully. The opinions of participants were collected through written questionnaires (see results in annexes of each course) and orally, indicate a high degree of satisfaction of participants. Teachers and logistic coordinators of the courses have expressed a strong appreciation for the way the courses were developed. In 2015 we would like to improve timing of advance warning of information of the courses. Some students (mainly foreigners) expressed that the time was insufficient to accommodate their work commitments to attend to the course. B) Development of the assistantships training program In order to meet, train and evaluate possible conservation leaders, the assistantship training program Leadership in Conservation has been created. Through it young professionals dedicated to conservation were invited to participate during a short period of time (1-3 months) in the various programs being conducted by CLT in Iberá. The call was spread through the website (http://www.proyectoibera.org/centroibera/pasantias_liderazgo.htm), social networking and orally. More than 30 people have consulted (including questions face to face and by email) the opportunity to participate in these internships. While most candidates were students of biology or veterinary sciences, we prioritized applicants who could prove to have some experience in conservation work and / or demonstrated a genuine interest and
a strong enthusiasm for learning about different tasks related to the conservation job rather than animal handling only. During 2014, five students from different localities participated in the Program. Each internship was adapted to the profile and needs of the student (i.e. period of time and tasks performed), and to the needs and circumstances of the CLT team. Sometimes internships lasted three months, and sometimes around a month. We think these periods were enough to fulfill the objectives proposed for each case. During the Program each student participated in the theoretical and practical courses organized by the Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership. Once the internship period ended each student attended to a meet with the coordinating program team to share concerns and evaluate the experience. Students were very excited and thankful for the experience. They especially emphasized the variety of acquired knowledge and / or life experiences, the good treatment and the good predisposition of CLT team to share their stories. All students are currently performing tasks related to the conservation of protected areas or animal species, which encourages the hope that they can implement the experience gained while participating in the Internship Program of Leadership in Conservation. Below is presented a brief description of the students and activities undertaken by them during their participation in the program.
1- Laura Josens, biologist. Internship period: June August 2014 Laura is from province of Buenos Aires. During her internship she made field work through monitoring species, has collaborated with animals in quarantine at the Biological Station of Corrientes, and attended to the Public Relations staff of CLT in testing a new tourist circuit at Estancia El Tránsito. Laura also participated in the course: Practical Learning from the Conservation Maestros organized by the Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership. Currently, Laura is working at the National University of Tucumán, Faculty of Natural Sciences in a project based on ecology, biogeography and conservation of wetlands of the Puna region, Argentina. Laura beside a veterinary of CLT, monitoring anteaters at Estancia El Socorro. 2- Jorge Mazzochi, naturalist. Internship period: June August 2014 Jorge is from Buenos Aires. During his internship he collaborated with monitoring giant anteaters, worked at the Biological Station of Corrientes and travelled to the province of Salta with vets of CLT to participate in the translocation of two individuals of tapir. He also spent about a month in the province of Chaco, with rangers and naturalists, participating in the creation of the new El Impenetrable National Park. Jorge attended the course Introduction to the Production of Nature organized by the Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership. Currently, Jorge works at the field in wildlife monitoring and social development of communities adjacent to El Impenetrable National Park. In the picture, Jorge is participating in the course "Introduction to the Production of Nature". 3- Ramón Moller Jensen, nature photographer. Internship period: August 2014. Ramón is from Misiones. During the internship he made several check trips with the maintainer staff of the Estancia El Socorro, and visited the Experimental Breeding Center of Jaguar at Estancia San Alonso. Ramón attended two courses organized by the Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership: Conservation Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Leadership for Production of Nature. Nowadays he works as a manager of the Reserva Natural San Alonso in Iberá. Ramón taking photos of grassland species.
4- Juan Klavins, naturalist. Internship period: June July 2014. Juan is from Buenos Aires. During his internship he collaborated with CLT staff on tasks such as monitoring anteaters, review of camera traps and worked with tourists through communication of field projects. He visited the Estancia San Alonso, where he collaborated with the monitoring species and visited Experimental Breeding Center of Jaguar. Juan attended the course: Practical Learning from the Conservation Maestros organized by the Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership. Currently, Juan works on endangered bird survey in the province of Corrientes and as a specialized birding guide. In the photo, Juan is checking the health of an anteater. 5- Sebastián Di Martino, biologist. Internship period: November December 2014. Sebastian is responsible for protected areas in the province of Neuquén (in Argentina). During his internship he met and exchanged ideas with public relations staff of CLT, and visited Biological Station Corrientes guided by veterinarians of the institution. He also visited the Estancia San Alonso, where he collaborated with monitoring of animal species, and saw the Experimental Breeding Center of Jaguar. He was also in the Estancia El Transito, where he enjoyed one of the kayak tours being developed in the area. Sebastian was invited to take part in internships from its participation in the course Interdisciplinary Leadership for Production of Nature. During his internship he had the opportunity to participate in the course Team Relations organized by Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership. Sebastian is participating in the course Team Relations. C) Design and development of online broadcasting products derived from previous activities A website for Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership was designed (http://www.proyectoibera.org/centroibera/index.htm) on which can be find information about the internship program and from each course. The page serves to disseminate and to record completed activities. Every time a course is completed, the page is refreshed with pictures, access to the slides of the presentations, suggested readings, reports and videos. Short videos (5-10 minutes) were carried out on three of the seven developed courses. They can be watched through the page: - Conservation Maestros https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfr7ba5ziz4&feature=player_embedded - Introduction to Production of Nature, http://www.proyectoibera.org/centroibera/curso_naturaleza.htm - Interdisciplinary Leadership for Production of Nature, http://www.proyectoibera.org/centroibera/curso_liderazgo.htm
ANNEX 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE PRODUCTION OF NATURE COURSE Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina) 7th to 9th May 2014 Results Report Organized by: Financed by:
Justification In the last 30 years, there has been a massive exodus from rural to urban environments. This has led to many areas, formerly dedicated to extensive activities (i.e. livestock, coal production, subsistence hunting, etc.), to become available for intensive farming (i.e. soy, rice or conifers plantations) or, alternatively, for biodiversity production associated with ecotourism or environmental services. Corrientes (and the rest of the northern region of Argentina) is currently undergoing this transition; the same is happening with other regions of the world. A good example of this is the Esteros del Iberá region, where the old dominant production system (extensive livestock) is starting to share physical, political and economic space with conifers plantations and the Production of Nature. This latter type of production offers very interesting work, economic and social opportunities for the rural population. An excellent example of this is the town of Colonia Carlos Pellegrini in the Reserva Natural Iberá: 90% of the population depends on ecotourism. This town has one of the lowest unemployment rates of the province, and it has been gaining social and political relevance within the province. At the same time, the production of nature is emerging as an area which offers work opportunities for students who are doing courses of studies such as biology, veterinary, environmental sciences or who are training to become rangers. In Corrientes, and in the rest of Argentina, this type of production will continue increasing; this increase will generate a demand for trained professionals who should know how to produce and/or maintain biodiversity. For all the aforementioned reasons, this course aims to introd uce the basic principles of the production of nature as well as to examine concrete examples of this type of production within the Reserva Natural Iberá and other places. The idea is that students learn how to include this type of production within their professional tool box", and are able to see it as a potential economic opportunity for themselves. Background Below is a brief report on the course developed on Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th May 2014. This course was organized by The Conservation Land Trust (CLT) and funded by Michael-Succow-Stiftung (MSS), Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung (MHS) and The Conservation Land Trust (CLT). The course was held in the Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina). The first two days took place at the Casa Santa Ana in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini and the last day was spent at Estancia Rincón del Socorro owned by CLT. The total number of applicants for the course was 45, out of which 26 were selected. Twenty-three of them attended (three of the selected ones were absent).local actors and people from surrounding areas were given priority. Among the participants included, there were professionals working within government agencies in managing protected areas, conservation NGOs, tourism agencies and cooperatives in the area (see annex 1: list of participants). The learning activities were conducted and coordinated by Ignacio Pérez Jiménez. Anna Cufré, who is the Reserve Ranger, was invited to attend to the course, and she shared the history of the
Provincial Reserve and her perception of the changes experienced by the area in the last years due to tourism increase. A model inn of the town was visited during the course. There, the students shared a pleasant chat with its managers Estrella Losada and Jose Martin (born and raised in Iberá), who recounted their experience about how tourism changed their minds, and how their dreams came true in Eco Posada del Estero (http://www.ecoposadadelestero.com.ar/quienes-somos/). An Iberá boat tour was made with experienced local guides, who told us about the natura l history of the site and their personal experiences before becoming tour guides. The course schedule was the following: Wednesday May 7: Journey from Mercedes to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini. Introduction to the Production of Nature as a new and growing professional discipline. Its global and local (Corrientes and negiboring provinces) trends. A Call to Arms: The current extinction crisis. Talk with the managers of Eco Posada Iberá, and snack in this inn. Thursday May 8: The Five Vertexes of the Production of Nature: biodiversity, knowledge, public support, experience quality and social benefits. Case Study: The town of Pellegrini, a history of social and economic change associated with the production of biodiversity and ecotourism. A tour around the village. Boat excursion to the lagoon. Chat with an Iberá Reserve ranger. Friday May 9: Case study: Ibera CLT Project. Ecological restoration and protected areas management. A field tour. Return to Mercedes at 7.00 p.m. Students answered a course feedback questionnaire (see Annex 2). According to their opinion, interesting (95%) and new (85%) topics were treated in the course. The ability of the course to foster personal and professional ties was considered excellent or very good (100%). The teaching qualit y and the course organization were evaluated as excellent or very good by more than 90% of the students. Among the students comments, the good organization and human side of the course and the importance of these meetings for interaction and ideas exchange among colleagues were highlighted (see Annex 3 for the questionnaire results). The course was recorded in a 10-minute video which can be seen on the Iberá Training Center website (http://www.proyectoibera.org/centroibera/curso_naturaleza.htm).
Pictures of the course - Classes at Casa Santa Ana - Visit to the Carlos Pellegrini campsite and excursion to the Iberá lagoon
- Classes at Estancia Rincón del Socorro
ANNEX 1. List of students. Name Profession Institution Province where they came from 1 Pedro Nuñez environmental The Conservation Land Trust Chaco technician 2 Riccardo Tiddi anthropologist The Conservation Land Trust Chaco 3 Eduardo Haene biologist Aves Argentinas (NGO) Buenos Aires 4 Teresita Iturralde lawyer The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires 5 Juan María Raggio naturalist Aves Argentina (NGO) Buenos Aires 6 José Gabriel Ruíz Díaz ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 7 Daniel Sandoval ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 8 Mariela Pilar Morales ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 9 Nelson Aguirre Cooperativa Yasi Verá Corrientes 10 Vicenta Itatí Sena Cooperativa Yasi Verá Corrientes 11 Joaquin Inchauspe ranger Dirección de Parques y Corrientes Reservas de Corrientes 12 Yohana Spontón ranger Dirección de Parques y Corrientes Reservas de Corrientes 13 Marcelo Blanco ranger Dirección de Parques y Corrientes Reservas de Corrientes 14 Paulina Losada ranger Parque Nacional Mburucuya Corrientes 15 Victor Sotelo ranger Parque Nacional Mburucuya Corrientes 16 Gustavo Vera tourist guide Asociación de guías de Corrientes Concepción 17 Exequiel Fernández tourist guide Asociación de guías de Corrientes Concepción 18 Jorge Mazzochi naturalist Pasante de The Buenos Aires Conservation Land Trust 19 Delfina Ackermann tourist guide The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 20 Luciano Pellegrini tourist guide Self-employed Corrientes 21 Claudia Todone tourist guide Self-employed Corrientes 22 Soledad Bustos biologist Secretaría de Ambiente de la provincia de Salta 23 Adriana Vallejos biologist Dirección de Parques y Reservas de Corrientes Salta Corrientes
ANNEX 2. Course feedback questionnaire. 1. Didactic Aspects 1.1 The course contents were: - a) Very interesting b) Interesting c) Uninteresting - a) Very novel b) Novel c) Known 1.2 I have found the teaching quality (i.e. way to present the contents, activities, materials, etc.) of the course to be: a) Excellent b) Very good c) Good d) Poor e) Bad f) Very bad 1.3. Could you write any recommendations aimed at improving the teaching quality of future courses? 2. Human and organizational aspects 2.1 I have found the quality of the course in terms of the creation of personal and professional ties for my future work to be: a) Excellent b) Very good c) Good d) Poor e) Bad f) Very bad 2.2 The human side of the course was: a) Excellent b) Very good c) Good d) Poor e) Bad f) Very bad 2.3. Please write any recommendations aimed at improving the personal relationships quality of future courses: 2.4 In my opinion, the organization of the course (i.e. accommodation, food, communication prior to the course, mobility, etc.) has been: a) Excellent b) Very good c) Good d) Poor e) Bad f) Very bad 2.5. Please write any recommendations aimed at improving the organization of future courses: GENERAL COMMENTS: It is very important for us to receive students positive or negative feedback which shows their impressions on the course, and highlights both the positive aspects to be reinforced or maintained and the weaknesses to be improved. This feedback provides very relevant information which transcends the quantitative part of the survey. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! (Please write your answers overleaf).
ANNEX 3: Course feedback survey results. Answers (expressed in %) corresponding to 19 questionnaires (83% of all students) Contents Very interesting 74 Very Novel 36 Interesting 21 Novel 50 Uninteresting 5 Known 14 Excellent Very Good Good oor Bad Very Bad Didactic quality 47,5 47,5 5 Course ability to promote personal and professional ties. 50 50 Personal and human treatment 74 26 Organization 68 22 5 5 Comments made by the course students: - During the course I have learned many new things, and I have also realized the importance of what we have here in Corrientes: the Iberá! - Excellent organization and human quality. I appreciate and highlight the importance of having this type of meetings where we can share, listen, and, definitely, feel that we are motivated by the same goals. We really look forward to more of them! - The course was excellent, very well organized - Go on with this project. Thank you very much! - The work, responsibility and commitment of all CLT were very good. I hope there is another training course like this one. I have picked up different life and work experiences. A pleasant environment was created and maintained during the course; I think this is a good point to be highlighted. Thank you guys for this experience! - Clarity in the topics development. Ignacio explained clearly all the time and the methodology was excellent. - The communication among colleagues was excellent. I talked and exchanged opinions with everyone! - Highly successful! and eye-opener. Hooray the Conservation! - Entertaining, productive, diverse and didactic - The course was productive and interesting. It has been very helpful and very didactic. We have discussed the schemes breakdown and the prejudices, and we have been able to think out of the box. Thank you very much. It is hard to grow up, it hurts accepting and taking responsibility for the mistakes, but this is the way: as part of a team and with joy! - The relationships formed during the course were very good, the information was interesting and the projects being carried out are amazing and unique. The organization was excellent. Suggestions aimed at improving the course: - More field activities - More group games - Not so intensive, more days of classes and less hours per day - For future courses each group from each town could propose real objectives to be met, taking into account the information obtained in the course. After some time, we could get together again and discuss the results. - More group activities aimed at sharing more information.
ANNEX 2 PRACTICAL LEARNING FROM THE CONSERVATION "MAESTROS" Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina) 21th to 27th June 2014 Report Results Organized by: Financed by:
Justification Conservation maestros are professionals with more than two decades experience in leading successful complex conservation programs which have overcome large political and technical obstacles to achieve significant positive results on ecosystems and wildlife populations. Many of these teachers are practitioners who have not had the time or incentives to compile or share their vast practical knowledge and sometimes scientific journals reject such experiences because they are not consider valid from a quantitative or theoretical point of view. Background In June 2014, three Maestros representatives of different conservation schools, Pete Gober (American School), Juan Jimenez (European School) and Marc Stalman (African School) arrived in Iberá (Corrientes province, Argentina) to share experiences with the biologists Sofia Heinonen, general coordinator of the Iberá project with wide experience in conservation programs in Argentina, and Ignacio Jimenez, currently in charge of the endangered species CLT program and experienced in conservation projects in Latin America, Africa and Europe (see Masters profile in Annex 1). The two final days of the meeting were opened to an invited group of conservationists (see list of participants in Annex 2). Accompanied by Sofia and Ignacio, the guests began an amazing excursion to the interior of the Iberá: they were captivated by the local landscapes and wildlife while going up the Carambola stream on the way from Reserva San Nicolás to Reserva San Alonso (owned by CLT). They were amazed when they visited the facilities of the Experimental Jaguars Breeding Center (CECY): four hectares of cages in natural habitats which are awaiting the arrival of the first animals. The Masters also enjoyed the spaciousness of the wetland while flying on a small plane towards Estancia Rincón del Socorro where they remained for three days sharing warm conversations and deep reflections about the successful keys to the conservation programs. They also enjoyed long walks during which they spotted capybaras, rhea and giant anteaters, and they were honored with delicious regional dishes: mbaipy, asado and the authentic noodles stew, which was prepared with wood by Ignacio. The meeting open sessions for a group of conservation professionals were held in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini where the conclusions, result of the previous reflection days, were shared. The Maestros Meeting surprised by the synchrony of experiences and recommendations on the conservation work of people from different continents. The Maestros agreed quickly and eloquently on many tips: Work hard but choose to give credit to others, create, share and refine an inspiring vision within your team work, be prepared for a long-term commitment (15 years) in human, financial and leadership resources, give power and train local individuals, among others. Three video cameras followed the meeting day after day. A short video of the event was made, and, currently, a longer documentary is being made. The wealth of experiences narrated by the protagonists and the possibility of having this filmed material has allowed us to spread the teachings of the Maestros to a broad and diverse range of audiences. After the meeting, two talks called Learning from the Maestros of Conservation were organized during which Ignacio Jimenez shared the Maestros meeting conclusions. One of the talks took place in Chaco Province on 15th August and was aimed at government employees of the province (approximately 20 attended). The other talk was given at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of
the University of Buenos Aires on October 28th (40 students and researchers attended). In both occasions, the short video of the meeting was the kickoff to contextualize the event. Recorded fragments, in which several example cases can be listened from the voice of each of the Maestros, were used during the conference. The Maestros Teachings also enriched the contents of the 8th edition of the course: Interdisciplinary Leadership for Biodiversity Production, which was held in Iberá in September. A note on the meeting entitled Iberá Gathers Conservation Maestros from Four Continents was published in September in the Iberá Journal. (http://www.proyectoibera.org/download/boletines/boletin_22.pdf). You can see the video, access all the tips and obtain further information of the Maestros profiles on this link: http://www.proyectoibera.org/centroibera/encuentro_maestros.htm.
ANNEX 1. Maestros profiles. Marc Stalman. Ecologist with more than 25 y ears experience in research, planning and conservation and development management in the public, private and parastatal sectors. He has been involved in several projects developed in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. Juan Jiménez. Doctor in Biological Sciences. He has been working for the Nature Conservation Regional Agency in Valencia (Spain) for 27 years, and he has been the Chief of the Wildlife Service of the Government of Valencia for ten years. He is in charge of conserving flora, fauna and habitats, and of managing the spaces of the Natura 2000 network created by the European Union. Pete Gober. Since 1987 he has held various positions in the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US government. He has worked in the west of the US, Canada and Mexico to coordinate the recovery of black-footed ferret and the preservation of its main prey, the prairie dog. He obtained his doctorate in 1979 from the University of Texas. Sofía Heinonen. Biologist. Argentina. She has been the General Coordinator of the Conservation Land Trust (CLT) Argentina for 9 y ears. She worked for more than 15 years in the National Parks Administration of Argentina, coordinating management plans for National Parks in northern Argentina. Ignacio Jiménez Pérez. Biologist. He studied biology in Spain and wildlife management and conservation in Costa Rica. He coordinated research and management projects of endangered wildlife in three continents. Since 2006, he has been coordinating the recovery program for threatened fauna of CLT Argentina. He has been the author of twenty scientific papers, he has produced two books, and has taught numerous training courses on biodiversity conservation.
Annex 2. List of participants. Name Profession Institution Place where they came from 1 Hernán Casañas naturalist Aves Argentinas (NGO) Buenos Aires 2 Diana Friedrich environmental scientist Banco de Bosques (NGO) Buenos Aires 3 Edwin Harvey naturalist Banco de Bosques (NGO) Buenos Aires 4 Astrid Sanguinetti photographer The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires 5 Mariano Jäger biologist Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (NGO) Misiones 6 Manuel Jaramillo biologist Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (NGO) Misiones 7 Teresita Iturralde photographer The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires 8 Talía Zamboni biologist Instituto Internacional de Manejo y Córdoba Conservación de Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica 9 Emanuel Galetto ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 10 Alexandra Fellinger landscape and garden designer The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 11 Berta Antunez environmental The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes educator 12 Jorge Peña veterinary The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 13 Rafael Abuín ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 14 Laura Malmierca biologist Administración de Parques Nacionales Santa Cruz 16 Delfina Ackermann tourism graduate The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 17 Juan Klavins naturalist Pasante del Centro Iberá Para el Liderazgo Misiones en Conservación de la Biodiversidad 18 Laura Josens biologist Pasante del Centro Iberá Para el Liderazgo Buenos Aires en Conservación de la Biodiversidad 19 Laura Fernández business administrator Flora y Fauna Argentina (NGO) Buenos Aires 20 Hernán Pastore biologist Administración de Parques Nacionales Río Negro
ANNEX 3 CONSERVATION PHILOSOPHY Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina) 12th and 13th August 2014 Results Report Organized by: Financed by:
Justification The modern environmentalist movements include a variety of fundamental philosophies. Some of them are based on an anthropocentric view, others in a pragmatic approach, and others integrate humans in nature in a relationship of equality, involving a strong ethical-philosophical component based on the root causes of the current environmental crisis. The ethics of the latter, called Deep Ecology, embraces the concept that the entire system is superior to any of its components, and emphasizes the interrelationships between the parts. Deep ecology is part of a new paradigm, a holistic view of the world. CLT shares this philosophy, and that is the reason why through its programs CLT intends to provide an intrinsic value to ecosystems and their living components, regardless of their utility to humans. Deep ecology is an approach that provides a new conceptual framework within which to work while assuming a high commitment to the cause. The purpose of this course is to present and discuss the different ecological philosophies and compare and contrast these with the Deep Ecology philosophy. The intention is to convey and share the eco-centric vision so that participants, by seeing through the eyes of CLT, can better understand the actions of the institution. This course will provide the possibility to unify criteria and visions within the CLT team, enhancing the cohesion of the group and the coherence of its actions. Background The course was held between 12 and 13 August 2014 at Estancia Rincón del Socorro located in the Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina). It was organized by The Conservation Land Trust (CLT) and funded by Michael-Succow-Stiftung (MSS), Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung (MHS) and The Conservation Land Trust. The course was aimed at the professional team who works for CLT Argentina. It included staffs working in different regions (Corrientes, Chaco and Patagonia) domed to crea te different National Parks (Ibera, Park Impenetrable and Patagonia Park, respectively), and both the staff working in administration as which works at the field (see annex 1: list of participants). The course was coordinated by Marcelo Viñas (biologist and filmmaker with more than 20 years experience in making documentaries on nature and conservation). The guest professors were Guillermo Folguera and Gabriela Klier (biologists, from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires, carrying research into Philosophy of Biology and Conservation); Sofia Heinonen (general coordinator of the Iberá project); and Douglas Tompkins (mentor and director of The Conservation Land Trust). The course program was: Tuesday August 12. Brief introduction to the philosophy of biology (topics such as reductionism, relationship between science and ethics, and pluralism of different types were presented). Presenter: Guillermo Folgera. Why to conserve? Conservation ethics: Main philosophies (transcendental romantic, utilitarian and evolutionary ecology). Presenters: Guillermo Folgera and Gabriela Klier. Conservation in movement: Fundamentals of CLT conservation projects in Iberá. Presenter: Sofia Heinonen.
Wednesday August 13 Conceptual elements of an ecocentric position. Models of human being/nature relationship. Contributions from thermodynamics, ecology and communication theory. Presenter: Marcelo Viñas. Round table (with the participation of Douglas Tompkins): The future challenges of a coherent and possible environmental movement. The participants answered a course feedback questionnaire at the end of the course (see annex 2: model of questionnaire). They found the didactic quality of the course to be very good (65%), and the human environment as well as the logistics to be excellent (88%) or very good (94%). The course contents were evaluated as interesting and novel by all the participants. Teachers were rated as excellent or very good by a high percentage of the participants (between 75% and 100% depending on the teacher), with the exception of Gabriela Klier, who was assessed as good (63%) or very good (25%). The participants feedback highlighted the good organization of the course and the delicious food. Among the suggestions aimed at improving the course were: better discussion mediation and complementary reading materials (see annex 3: survey results). Having taken into consideration the latter observation, and once the course was over, we asked the coordinator to suggest reading material, which was sent to each participant on electronic version via e-mail. ANNEX 1. List of students. Name Profession Institution Place where they came from 1 Laura Fernández business administrator Flora y Fauna Argentina (ONG) Buenos Aires 2 Guido Vittone naturalist Flora y Fauna Argentina (ONG) Santa Cruz 3 Hada Irastorza plastic artist The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 4 Astrid Sanguinetti photographer The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires 5 Ramón Moller Jensen photographer The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 6 Teresita Iturralde lawyer The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires 7 Ricardo Tiddi naturalist The Conservation Land Trust Chaco 8 Emanuel Galetto ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 9 Marian Labourt journalist The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires 10 Marisi Lopez public relations officer The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 11 Pascual Perez ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 12 Karina Spoerring animal caretaker The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 13 David Diago Moreno The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 14 Sebastián Cirignoli environmental The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes technician 15 Delfina Aeckermann tourism graduate The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 16 Pedro Nuñez environmental The Conservation Land Trust Chaco technician 17 José Moreno Hernan kayak instructor The Conservation Land Trust Chaco
ANNEX 4 INTERDISCIPLINARY LEADERSHIP FOR THE PRODUCTION OF NATURE COURSE Training course for leaders in conservation (8th edition) Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina) 22th to 26th September 2014 Results Report Organized by: Financed by:
Justification This is an intensive course aimed at professionals who have a high impact on the field or "conservation leaders" who are currently running, coordinating or supervising nature production programs more commonly known as biodiversity conservation in different parts of Latin America with emphasis on Argentine professionals. The course presents a holistic approach to complex conservation processes management for a period of five days by means of introducing, linking and discussing issues related to research, promotion, planning, regulations, evaluation, conflict management, organizational structures and adaptive leadership. In parallel, the course works on concepts and tools aimed at the efficient management of work conservation teams. This course has been taking place, with regular updates, since 2006 in Argentina, Chile, and Costa Rica. The course, which at the beginning was called Interdisciplinary Principles and Tools for the Recovery of Threatened Species has undergone conceptual enrichment; as a consequence of this, its name has been adapted. Throughout several discussions and collective analyses in previous editions of this course, we have noticed how the concept of "leadership" constituted a mainstay in conservation processes that have been successful in Latin America and other regions. Therefore, in 2010, we decided to adapt the course content and expand its approach in order to center it on the concept of training all types of leaders in the complex task of biodiversity conservation. Thus, the course was renamed "Interdisciplinary Leadership for Biodiversity Conservation." In recent years we have adopted the concept of production of nature which we favor over Biodiversity Conservation. In particular, the latest edition of the course has been enriched with the theoretical contribution of the Practical Learning from the Conservation Masters meeting, which was held in June 2014 in the framework of the activities organized by the Iberá Center for Biodiversity Conservation Leadership. During the meeting, leaders from four continents reflected and demonstrated their knowledge gained through their practical conservation work. The pieces of advice given by the Conservation Masters pervade the current course contents. Background Below is a brief report of the eighth edition of the course held between 22 and 26 September 2014. This course was organized by The Conservation Land Trust (CLT) and funded by Michael- Succow-Stiftung (MSS), Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung (MHS) and The Conservation Land Trust. The course was held in the Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina). The first four days took place at the Casa Santa Ana in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini and the last day was spent at Estancia Rincón del Socorro owned by CLT. The total number of applicants for the course was 29, out of which 19 professionals from Argentina and Uruguay were selected. The pedagogical sessions were also open to the local staff of CLT reserves. As in previous editions of the course, we sought to establish a group where different institutional origins, different degrees of professional experience, gender and, wherenever possible, different professional training converged. Among the participants, there were professionals working within government agencies in managing protected areas, conservation NGOs and research centers (see annex 1: list of participants).
The main learning activities were conducted and coordinated by Ignacio Jiménez Pérez (M.Sc. in Conservation and Wildlife Management, and current coordinator of the CLT-Ibera recovery program for endangered species). George Gibbons, with a degree in biological sciences and with over fifteen years of experience in companies international consulting and training, gave his support during the session on conflict and group management. The course combined several teaching tools: theoretical presentations, video presentations, exercise solving, group analysis, and games. The teachings and cases examples (Masters of Conservation s contribution) could be seen in classes in short videos during which the students listened to each of the Masters (see annex 2: schedule course). After having completed the course, the participants answered a course feedback questionnaire (see annex 3: questionnaire model). According to their opinion, the didactic quality of the course was excellent or very good (85%) and each of the two teachers was very well evaluated. Students believed that the most important topics of the course were: conflict management, organizational/leadership aspects, and The Conservation Ship. The ability of the course to foster personal and professional ties, as well as the personal attention and the human environment, was considered to be excellent or very good by the 93% and the 100% of the participants, respectively. The course logistics was evaluated as excellent or very good by all the participants. The comments indicate that the participants were highly satisfied with the course, and especially appreciated the dynamic games and the motivating capacity. They also found the course contents very practical and applicable. They highlighted the meeting human warmth and the good organization (see annex 4: the results of surveys). The course was recorded in a 5-minute video which can be seen on the Iberá Training Center website (http://www.proyectoibera.org/centroibera).
Pictures of the course - Group Games - Training Sessions
- Resolution of exercises in small groups
ANNEX 1. List of students. Name Profession Institution Place where they came from 1 Laura Fernández busniess Flora y Fauna Argentina (NGO) Buenos Aires, Argentina. adminitrator 2 Guido Vittone naturalist Flora y Fauna Argentina (NGO) Santa Cruz, Argentina. 3 Pablo Díaz biologist Flora y Fauna Argentina (NGO) Santa Cruz, Argentina. 4 Hernán Povedano biologist Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo Río Negro, Argentina. Sustentable, Provincia de Río Negro. 5 Hada Irastorza plastic artist, The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes, Argentina. cultural manager 6 Astrid Sanguinetti photographer The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires, Argentina. 7 Ramón Moller Jensen photographer The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes, Argentina. 8 Teresita Iturralde lawyer The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires, Argentina. 9 Soledad Bustos biologist Secretaría de Ambiente, provincia de Salta, Argentina. Salta. 10 Hugo Bay Capello lawyer Subsecretario de Recursos Naturales, Formosa, Argentina. provincia de Formosa 11 Anahí Perez forester Secretaría Técnica de la Reserva de Río Negro, Argentina. Biosfera Andino Norpatagónica, Administracíon de Parques Nacionales. 12 Alicia Delgado biologist The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes, Argentina. 13 Fabián Rabuffetti biologist Aves Argentinas (NGO). Buenos Aires, Argentina. 14 Xochilt Pocasangre biologist Instituto Internacional de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. 15 Talía Zamboni biologist Instituto Internacional de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. 16 Constanza Paisan biologist Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral (Conicet, Corrientes, Argentina). 17 Soledad Ghione biologist Dirección Nacional de Medio Ambiente, División Biodiversidad. 18 José Hernán Sarasola biologist Centro para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves Rapaces en Argentina (CECARA) 19 Sebastián Di Martino biologist Dirección de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, provincia de Neuquén. Corrientes, Argentina. Corrientes, Argentina. Corrientes, Argentina. Montevideo, Uruguay La Pampa, Argentina. Neuquén, Argentina.
ANNEX 2. Schedule course. Monday September 22: Arrival and Course Introduction. Journey from Mercedes to Iberá Natural Reserve. Accommodation. Course Introduction. Talk: Why do We Need Interdisciplinary Leadership for the Production of Nature? + An Interdisciplinary Method for Producing Nature: The Wheel of Conservation. Team Building Exercise: Helium Stick. Tuesday September 23: Promoting Conservation Talk: Meeting the Actors of a Conservation Process + Approaches for a Conservation Process Promotion: awareness, activism, legal complaints and diplomacy. True Colours: The Four Personality Types in Work Teams. Wednesday September 24: Problems Analysis (Research) + Planning, Evaluation and Completion. Talk: Generation of Quality Information for Decision-making in Conservation: general principles and practical tips + Impact Criteria of a Study: relevance, credibility, legitimacy and accessibility. Talk: Planning vs plans + Different Complementary Approaches to Project Evaluation and Sustained Improvement + Using Evaluation to Adapt: identification and termination of inadequate practices. Exercise with constructive feedback to enhance relationships within a work team. Thursday September 25: Negotiation and Management Conflicts + Organizational aspects. Presentation: Conflict Understood as a Tool of Change in Favour of Conservation + Principles and Tools for Conflict Management and Collaborative Negotiation. Negotiation exercises: guanacos and pumas. Ejercicios de negociación: guanacos y pumas Talk: Organizational Aspects: people, equipment, organizational cultures and the virtuous circle of conservation organizations + The leader's Role in Conservation: principles and practical recommendations. Exercise with colours: deer hunting. Friday September 26: Summary and Closure (It was held in Estancia Rincón del Socorro) Summary of lessons learned by leaders from 4 continents. Group Summary. Return trip to Mercedes.
ANNEX 3. Course feedback questionnaire. 1. Didactic Aspects 1.1 Rank the topics covered in the course according to relevance and applicability (1 is the best value and subsequent values imply less interest. You can assign the same value to several topics). Topic Production of Nature Getting Information Promotion Planing and regulation Conflict management Evaluation Organizational/Lidership Aspects The Conservation Ship Value 1.2 I have found the teaching quality (i.e. way to present the contents, activities, materials, etc.) of the course to be: a) Excellent b) Very good c) Good d) Poor e) Bad f) Very bad 1.3. Could you write any recommendations aimed at improving the teaching quality of future courses? We are especially interested to know your opinion regarding the use of group analysis as learning tools: Teacher Assessment Teacher Quality of his participation Would you like to invite him to the next edition? Ignacio Very Bad Bad Poor Good Very Good Excelent Yes No Jiménez Jorge Gibbons Very Bad Bad Poor Good Very Good Excelent Yes No 2. Human and organizational aspects 2.1 I have found the quality of the course in terms of the creation of personal and professional ties for my future work to be: a) Excellent b) Very good c) Good d) Poor e) Bad f) Very bad 2.2 The human side of the course was: a) Excellent b) Very good c) Good d) Poor e) Bad f) Very bad 2.3. Please write any recommendations aimed at improving the personal relationships quality of future courses: 2.4 In my opinion, the organization of the course (i.e. accommodation, food, communication prior to the course, mobility, etc.) has been: a) Excellent b) Very good c) Good d) Poor e) Bad f) Very bad 2.5. Please write any recommendations aimed at improving the organization of future courses: GENERAL COMMENTS: It is very important for us to receive students positive or negative feedback which shows their impressions on the course, and highlights both the positive aspects to be reinforced or maintained and the weaknesses to be improved. This feedback provides very relevant information which transcends the quantitative part of the survey. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! (Please write your answers overleaf).
ANNEX 4: course feedback survey results. Answers (expressed in %) corresponding to 16 questionnaires (84% of all students) Excelent Very Good Good Poor Bad Very Bad - Didactic Quality 50 36 14 - Course ability to promote personal and professional ties. 56 38 6 - Personal and human treatment 81 19 - Organization 64 36 Topics covered in the course were rated according to their relevance and applicability in the following descending order: 1- Conflict Management 2- Organizational / Leadership aspects and The Conservation Ship 3- Production of Nature 4- Promotion 5- Getting Information and Planning and Regulation 6- Evaluation. In regard to assessments of teachers, the following results were obtained: Teacher Quality of his participation Would you like to invite him to the next edition? Ignacio Jiménez Jorge Gibbons Very Bad Very Bad Bad Poor Good Very Good 31 Bad Poor Good 12 Very Good 25 Excelent 69 Excelent 63 Yes 100 Yes 100 No No
ANNEX 5 COURSE OF ORAL NARRATIVE: FOR TELL BETTER STORIES Buenos Aires City (Argentina) 27th and 28th October 2014 Results Report Organized by: Financed by:
Talk is to do. When something is said possibilities arise or vanish, and in this way the speech changes the world. From this perspective, narration is to create realities. Who better than storytellers to teach us the way to tell charming, compelling, mobilizing or inspiring stories... Stories of love, adventure, of epics... The objective of this course is pass on the enthusiasm and to provide tools of speech to CLT staff who daily work on the narrative, either to exchange experiences (with Maestros of Conservation from four continents), to install a need (the creation of the El Impenetrable National Park to preserve the richness of the Chaco forest), or achieve a paradigm shift ( nature conservation to production of nature ). The course was held between Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 October 2014 in Buenos Aires city. Seventeen people of CLT team attended to it (see annex 1: list of participants). The course was conducted by Gabriela Lubarsky, writer and storyteller experienced. She is also a writer and producer of radio and TV. Gabriela has done several story shows including: If you see me to cross the street (2002), Q uestión de amor (2003/4), and I am single, I have even a cat (2007). Gabriela also has given countless lectures and workshops at museums, theatres and colleges in the cities of La Plata, Buenos Aires, and several cities in the province of Córdoba. Pictures of the course:
ANNEX 1. List of students. Name Profession Institution Place where they came from 1 Lucas Damer naturalist The Conservation Land Trust Chaco 2 Hada Irastorza cultural manager The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 3 Delfina Ackermann administrative The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes clerk 4 Cecilia Carus accountant The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires 5 Laura Fernández busniess The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires adminitrator 6 Elsa Clarc accountant The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires 7 Pascual Perez ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 8 Ramón Moller Jensen photographer The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 9 Sofía Heinonen biologist The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 10 Marian Labourt journalist The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 11 Marisi Lopez public relation The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes officer 12 Hada Irastorza cultural manager The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 13 Teresita Iturralde lawyer The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 14 Cecilia Accattoli biologist The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 15 Valeria Francisco biologist The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 16 Ignacio Jiménez biologist The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 17 Astrid Sanguineti photographer The Conservation Land Trust Buenos Aires
ANNEX 6 INTRODUCTION TO GPS USE AND DATA COMPUTARIZATION Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina) 18th and 19th October of 2014 Report Results Organized by: Financed by:
Justification This is a basic course about GPS use, aimed at wilderness guides, naturalists and volunteers involved in data collection in the fields for CLT. The idea is to promote the GPS use and reach an agreement on the way to save and organize data, so that it can be compiled and captured in cartographic maps. These maps will be shared and used by those who coordinate the activities mentioned above. Background The course was held on 18th and 19th November 2014 in Estancia El Tránsito, owned by The Conservation Land Trust and located in the Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina). Twenty one individuals participated in the course; most of them were wilderness guides and rangers who work for CLT (see annex 1: list of participants). The course combined theoretical sessions with the practice of data collection on the field. The main aims of the course were: To get familiar with field collection criteria by means of using GPS. To download data and to interpret geographic coordinates. To systematize data in tables from specific examples. The course was coordinated by Cristián Schneider, who is currently responsible for the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for CLT projects. Cristian is a biologist and a professor of GIS courses at the Universidad Católica and Instituto Superior Illía (province of Córdoba).
Pictures of the course
ANNEX 1. List of students. Name Profession Institution Place where they came from 1 Lucas Damer naturalist The Conservation Land Trust Chaco 2 Jorge Mazzochi naturalist The Conservation Land Trust Chaco 3 Riccardo Tiddi naturalist The Conservation Land Trust Chaco 4 Alesio Soraire local Independiente Chaco 5 Raúl Palavecino local Independiente Chaco 6 Luciano Villalba local Independiente Chaco 7 Ramón Pera wilderness guide 8 David Miqueli wilderness guide 9 Delfina administrative Ackermann clerk The Conservation Land Trust The Conservation Land Trust The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes Corrientes Corrientes 10 Luli Sotelo wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 11 Daniel Sandoval wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 12 Hector Ortiz wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 13 Milli Vera wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 14 Salvador Sotelo wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 15 Gabriel Ruiz Díaz ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 16 Pedro Rivas wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 17 Jorge David Verón wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 18 Tomás Sotelo wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 19 Bernardo Falcón wilderness The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes guide 20 Pilar Morales ranger The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes 21 Ramón Nuñez wilderness guide The Conservation Land Trust Corrientes
ANNEX 7 COURSE: TEAM RELATIONS Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina). 4th and 5th of December 2014 Results Report Organized by: Financed by:
Teamwork requires work. Analysis of purposes and assumptions, the cultivation of identity and membership within a group can markedly improve the way the team run the job. Starting from the explanation of basic assumptions, premises and values within a team, clarification of goals and development of a shared vision is achieved. This is the motive force that stimulate to the team to secure results. The purpose of this course is to provide a forum for communication and reflection on the development of work to improve trust and commitment, and to promote synergy and creativity within the technical team of CLT. The course was held between Thursday 4 and Friday 5 December 2014 in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, village located at the Reserva Natural Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina). Twenty-six people of CLT team attended to it (see annex 1: list of participants). The workshop was conducted by Jorge Gibbons biologist, consultant and facilitator with more than 20 years experience in education, communication and organizational development. Pictures of the Course.