Emel Rodríguez Paniagua is a Forest Engineer with a degree in Natural Resources Management and Conservation. His home in Costa Rica is Hojancha, Guanacaste , where he works as Regional Director of the Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT), SINAC – Ministry of Environment. He has coordinated many initiatives such as the Biological Corridors program of the Tempisque Conservation Area, research and forestry extension programs in the Chorotega region (CATIE -MINAE), as well as taught courses on environmental management and sustainable development.