Halting the loss of biodiversity and cultural diversity necessitates an understanding of the connections between people and the planet. In her talk, Dr. Alejandra Echeverri will elucidate how human activities have shaped the avian communities that we see on Neotropical landscapes, and how people perceive Neotropical bird species. She will delve into the profound cultural significance attributed to birds, while highlighting the impacts of deforestation and climate change on revered species.

Through a comprehensive policy analysis, Echeverri will demonstrate the current state of environmental policies and how they govern biodiversity. Lastly, she will demonstrate the promising role of the tourism sector in wildlife conservation and its contribution to preserving wildlife and human cultures. Her talk will also show how community-engaged research with governments and local communities might lead to policy changes in the environmental sector.