CATIE professors and graduate nominated for SACHA Award for their contributions to climate action

• Bryan Finegan, Ronnie de Camino and Jhonny Méndez are nominated for their outstanding work in environmental protection and the fight against climate change in Latin America.

November 8, 2023. Two professor-researchers and a graduate of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) have been nominated for the prestigious SACHA Award, in its fifth edition with the slogan Connecting Continents for Climate Action. SACHA Award Facebook Live., en su quinta edición que lleva el lema Conectando Continentes por la Acción Climática.

The nominees are Bryan Finegan and Ronnie de Camino, professor-researchers at the Center, as well as Jhonny Méndez, graduate of the master's program in Integrated Natural Resource Management.

This award honors leaders who demonstrate a deep and effective commitment to climate action.

Finegan is nominated in the research category. He is currently leading pioneering research on the effects of global change on tropical forest ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide. His contributions are fundamental to understanding and addressing environmental challenges in forest systems.

For his part, de Camino is nominated in the environmental management category, as a forestry engineer his name not only stands out for his deep knowledge in the field, but also for his commitment to sustainable human development, balancing economic, social and environmental dimensions. De Camino is considered an influential voice in territorial forest management and in promoting a more equitable and sustainable society.

Meanwhile, Méndez, also nominated in the environmental management category, has an outstanding track record at the San Carlos Forestry Development Commission (CODEFORSA) from 1990 to December 2023. He has dedicated his career to stimulating forest management and promoting reforestation in Costa Rica. His legacy is a testament to resilience and determination in the fight against deforestation.

"These three nominees are not only experts in their fields, but also represent CATIE's dedication to training leaders committed to climate action in Latin America," said Fernando Casanoves, CATIE's Director of Education.

As mentioned on its website, the group promoting the SACHA Award nominated mentors who are inspiring, visionary leaders, who with their knowledge and trajectory have demonstrated the effectiveness of their actions in the fight against climate change.

The winners will be announced at the ceremony of the fifth edition of the SACHA Award, on November 16, 2023, in Rome (Italy), Quito (Ecuador), and San José (Costa Rica). You will be able to follow the live broadcast of these ceremonies through the SACHA Award Facebook Live..