Event was developed within the framework of the + Women+ Natura Program
- Historic Tribute to the two pioneers of the Nations Park: Luisa Alfaro Bermúdez, First Deputy Director of the National Park Service and Gladys de Marco González, First Director of the La Amistad Conservation Area – Pacific.
On the occasion of the Commemoration of the National Day of National Parks ,, and with the aim of recognizing, making visible and strengthening the leading role of women in conservation, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with the support of the Office of the First Vice President of the Republic, carry out the First Virtual Meeting of Women Park Rangers in Costa Rica ..
The event had the technical and financial support of the Finance for Biodiversity initiative (BIOFIN) and brought together more than 70 women park rangers and officials of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), who shared with the heads of the entities organizers, including the First Vice President of the Republic, Epsy Campbell Barr.
““ The best way to commemorate this day is by paying tribute to the female park rangers, for their sacrifice and dedication With their work they show us every day that women are vital to carry out this extraordinary task of resilience, conservation and development ”, emphasized the First Vice President of the Republic, Epsy Campbell Barr.
Pamela Castillo Barahona, Vice Minister of Natural Resources, highlighted that in this meeting “for the first time the valuable work that women park rangers have been doing at the national level is visible, recognized and analyzed, where to date their experiences had not been systematized, the complex situations they have had in their work. It also represents a recognition of the contribution of women in the history of the conservation and protection of our National Parks and the natural resources of our country ”.
For his part, José Vicente Troya Rodríguez, UNDP Resident Representative, highlighted the work of park rangers, guards of National Parks as essential conservation agents.
«They carry out a large number of activities that reveal a break in the relationship of domination over nature, a break with that age-old sexual division of labor; they protect and safeguard natural resources, reforest, educate communities, and have a particular mystique, knowledge and specific knowledge that enhance the sustainable use and management of biodiversity, “said Troya-Rodríguez.
National Parks offer us essential nature-based solutions to face the loss of biodiversity and the climate crisis, in them, it is necessary to highlight and recognize the guardians of their protection: women park rangers. Elena Vargas Ramírez, Mirna Cortés Obando, Andrea Cruz Siles, Dulce María Varela, and Yeimy Cedeño Solís, narrate their daily work, personal motivation for their work and the challenges they face through five video stories.
TRIBUTE TO WOMEN PARK RANGERS IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST GENDER PREJUDICE
At the meeting, he paid a historic tribute to the two pioneers of the Nations Park: Luisa Alfaro First Deputy Director of the National Park Service and Gladys de Marco, First Director of the La Amistad Conservation Area – Pacific.
“You don’t realize that you have opened a gap, until you hear everything that is said,” said Marco who thanked for the space of sisterhood and empowerment of women in conservation.
Grettel Vega Arce, Executive Director of SINAC, the presence of so many participants in the virtual event allows us to contribute our experience and perspective to the current and future challenges of our park rangers. “Without a doubt it has been very important since it is the first meeting that is called, to enhance the work of women in the protection of the Natural Heritage of the State. We have realized what we have done and our role as facilitators for the operational and comprehensive exercise of the park rangers, in their control, protection, research and tourism tasks ”, highlighted Vega Arce.
Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Minister of Environment and Energy, referred to the role of park rangers and their contribution, on a day-to-day basis, to preserving nature. “From the Environmental Administration this meeting is a milestone, because for the first time, we have brought together all our collaborators, not only to exchange experiences in their professional performance but also to thank their role within the conservation and protection process, because the women have demonstrated their ability to develop in different areas, including that of park rangers ”, concluded Rodríguez.
Throughout the activity, five life stories of women park rangers from the Isla del Coco Marine Conservation Area, Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge, Amistad Caribe Conservation Area, Tortuguero Conservation Area and Ostional National Wildlife Refuge were highlighted. The videos can be found at the following link and the recording of the activity here.
LIFE STORIES
About + Women+ Natura Program
This event was developed within the framework of the + Mujeres + Natura Program, an initiative led by MINAE, UNDP and the Office of the First Vice President of the Republic. t also has the support of the National Institute for Women (INAMU), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the National Forest Financing Fund (FONAFIFO), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), the National Commission for the Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), the Joint Institute for Social Aid (IMAS), Fundecooperación para el Desarrollo Sostenible, Euroclima, the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Regional REDD + Program.
About UNDP
The United Nations Development Program is the leading United Nations agency dedicated to ending the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. We work with our extensive network of experts and partners in 170 countries to help nations build integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet
