Osvel Hinojosa-Huerta joined the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 2018 as the Director of the Coastal Solutions Fellows Program, with the primary goal of building capacity to protect critical shorebird habitats along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Chile. Osvel obtained his BS in Environmental Engineering and Marine Sciences at Tec de Monterrey Campus Guaymas, and his MS and Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Arizona. He has been working in conservation and research projects in coastal and riparian areas since 1997. His activities have included evaluation and recovery of protected species, design and implementation of policy and market mechanisms for conservation, and creation of partnerships with governments and stakeholders for the protection of nature. For 18 years, Osvel worked with Pronatura Noroeste as the Director of the Water and Wetlands Program, with emphasis on restoring the Colorado River delta, including the recovery of river flows and the facilitation of binational negotiations between Mexico and the US for the sustainability of the Colorado River Basin. Some of his favorite species to work with are Yuma Ridgway’s Rail and California Black Rail.
In joining the SJV Management Board, Osvel says he “truly believes that the SJV has developed a very effective model for collaborative and cross-border bird conservation initiatives, based on strong science, meaningful outcomes, strong partnerships, and cultural empathy. When I first heard about the SJV from Robert Mesta, Carol Beardmore, and Dave Krueper over 20 years ago, I was inspired to participate in this effort. The SJV has been very meaningful in my professional life over the years, as a graduate student and then as a conservation professional. I hope I can contribute and help the SJV mission grow and continue to inspire many others for bird conservation in this region.”