Carlos Rodríguez

Director Tropenbos Colombia

Carlos Rodriguez is the Director of Tropenbos Colombia, where he has been instrumental in establishing the organization as a leading platform for knowledge exchange on the sustainable use and management of tropical ecosystems. His leadership has been dedicated to amplifying traditional knowledge, ensuring it plays a central role in decision-making at all levels.

Within the Tropenbos International network, Carlos has championed the inclusion of traditional knowledge in forest management, positioning it as a critical component of participatory restoration efforts.

A biologist by training, Carlos’s interdisciplinary research on fishing practices in the Amazon has become a cornerstone for understanding, preserving, and promoting indigenous artisanal fishing. One of his most notable works is focused on the "Piraíba fish." This study, conducted in collaboration with fisherman Luis Ángel Trujillo and brought to life through illustrations by indigenous artist Confucio Hernández, was honored with the prestigious Colombian Environmental Science Prize by the Alejandro Ángel Escobar Foundation.

On behalf of Tropenbos Colombia, he has been part of the National Environmental Forum in Colombia for many years. This influential forum brings together universities and NGOs to foster debate on critical environmental issues and policies. Through this platform, he has consistently highlighted the importance of traditional knowledge, forest management, deforestation, and restoration as urgent priorities.

In recent years, Carlos has spearheaded the promotion of participatory and biodiverse productive restoration as a vital strategy to combat and reverse deforestation in the Colombian Amazon. His approach integrates social ownership, local and traditional knowledge, scientific expertise, and innovative financial mechanisms, ensuring long-term, large-scale impact.

Carlos’s body of work also spans a diverse range of publications on topics such as indigenous fisheries, bio-economy, indigenous art, and biodiversity management in traditional contexts, further cementing his role as a thought leader in these fields.

Contact: carlosrodriguez@tropenboscol.org