Dr Sarah OTTERSTROM

Executive Director, Paso Pacífico

Sarah is a conservationist working to rebuild forests and protect endangered wildlife in the tropical dry forests and coastal wetlands of Central America. Her firsthand experience as a young researcher in Nicaragua had a profound impact, convincing her that nature protection must come with opportunities for local people and respect for culture. This led her to launch Paso Pacifico 16 years ago. Over this time, the organization has averted the local extinction of several species while also building an ethos of nature stewardship within local communities.  Thanks to the IUCN-NL Land Acquisition Fund, Paso Pacifico is now working to establish core protected areas to connect landscapes catalyze community-led conservation. As a social entrepreneur, Sarah is currently building a platform to elevate traditional forestry knowledge, restore forests, and slow climate change.