Maria is trained as a conservation biologist with a Master of Science in Human Ecology where she graduated with honors. She joined Wetlands International in 2004 and has since then been responsible for the successful management of complex projects and partnerships across all regions. She coordinated Wetlands International’s work within the water and sanitation sector and supervised multi-country teams to build capacity of civil society organisations on advocacy for environmental and development issues. For more than a decade she has been providing support to Wetlands International’s network offices all around the globe. She fiercely believes that conserving and managing wetlands wisely is the only way to a sustainable future for humankind.
I believe in the work I do because wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world and they are also fascinating places of outstanding beauty. Wetlands provide water and food and therefore people (and businesses!) in this planet depend on them. I fiercely believe that conserving and managing wetlands wisely is the only way to a sustainable future for humankind. Before joining Wetlands International I worked for the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program and for Provita in Venezuela, my home country.