M.C. Mariella Sáenz Chávez

Natural Protected Areas Program
Project Manager
msaenz@pronatura-noroeste.org

Mariella Sáenz Chávez, Peruvian by birth and Mexican by naturalization, undertook her undergraduate studies at the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina in Lima, Peru. She obtained her Masters degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California in the faculty of “Ecosystem Management of Arid Zones” in Ensenada, Mexico. For many years she has contributed to research projects in conjunction with the Laboratorio de Ecología de la Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina; working in the areas of the ecology of birds of the coast and sierra (with an emphasis on parrots and aquatic bird species) and the ecology of Andean mammals (vicuñas). These studies reflected her particular interest in the analysis of population dynamics, patterns of use, diet and the management of birds of economic importance.

Mariella worked in the General Directory of Natural Protected Areas in the Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA), was the director for a Natural Protected Area and Ramsar Site in Lima, in addition to being a National Coordinator for Ramsar Sites; as such, she represented INRENA on different national and international stages integrating multidisciplinary work teams. She was also given a grant by the Government of Japan to participate in a training course for the management of wetlands and migratory birds.

In Mexico, she was a collaborator for an environmental consultant firm dedicated to the development of urban projects, toxic waste management, the installation of sanitary landfills, the certification of Clean Industry by SEMARNAT y PROFEPA, the certification of ISO14000 and rehabilitation programs, priority species rescue and the development of environmental contingencies. Since 2005, she has worked with the Natural Protected Areas Program of Pronatura Northwest, in the areas of management, environmental policy for marine and terrestrial Natural Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites and priority areas of the region.