Environmental social scientist and practitioner
Peruvian interdisciplinary ecologist with more than 15 years of experience in conservation and development research and practitioner work in Latin America. Passionate about community-based management of natural resources and transformative and just environmental governance. During my career, I promoted multiple spaces for knowledge sharing between scientists, park rangers, indigenous groups, and government environmental regulators. For my master’s degree at UF, I evaluated the effectiveness of communal conservation areas in the Peruvian Andes. Then, I worked as a research assistant at the Governance of Infrastructure in the Amazon project (GIA) led by the UF’s Tropical Conservation and Development program. My doctoral research focused on community-based fire management and stakeholder perceptions. I am currently a postdoctoral associate at UF.
Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology and M.A. in Latin America Studies from the University of Florida (USA). B.Sc. in Biology from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (Lima, Peru).
A short documentary about my doctoral research
My latest Blog Posts
Manejo Comunitario del Fuego: Un folleto basado en el conocimiento andino
Estoy muy feliz de compartir oficialmente un recurso que ha estado muy cerca de mi corazón y profundamente vinculado a mi investigación doctoral: el folleto “MANEJO DEL FUEGO COMUNITARIO PARA REDUCCIÓN DE LOS INCENDIOS FORESTALES.” Este folleto fue posible gracias al apoyo de Mountain Sentinels y se desarrolló en estrecha colaboración con la organización local CEDES Apurímac, liderada por mi coautor Augusto Ramírez, y…
Community Fire Management: A Booklet Rooted in Andean Knowledge
I am very happy to officially share a resource that has been close to my heart and deeply connected to my doctoral research: the booklet “MANEJO DEL FUEGO COMUNITARIO PARA REDUCCIÓN DE LOS INCENDIOS FORESTALES.” This booklet was made possible thanks to the support of the Mountain Sentinels and was developed in close collaboration with the local organization CEDES Apurímac, led by my co-author…
New Publication: Understanding Fire Governance in the Peruvian Andes
[Spanish below] I am thrilled to share my latest publication in the Journal of Rural Studies, co-authored with Karen A. Kainer, Rachel Carmenta, Bette Loiselle, and Ashley Cuellar. Our research explores the diverse perspectives on fire use and management among key actors in the Peruvian Andes, offering insights for more inclusive and effective fire governance. 🔥 Why does this matter?Fire is an essential tool…
Marianne Schmink Outstanding Dissertation Award
I’m truly grateful and honored to have been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Marianne Schmink Outstanding Dissertation Award from UF’s Tropical Conservation and Development Program (TCD). This recognition is deeply meaningful, as TCD represents a unique academic space that bridges theory and practice to address critical challenges in biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use, and human well-being in the tropics and beyond. I’m…
🔍 New Publication is out! 🔥
[Spanish below] In my latest research, I explore the crucial role fire plays in subsistence agriculture in the Peruvian Andes and the fire management practices of Quechua farmers. While fire is an essential tool for clearing agricultural residue, controlling weeds, and preparing land, it can lead to escaped fires if not properly controlled. Over 4 months of fieldwork, I conducted participant observation, agricultural calendars,…
Entrevista en Científicos.pe
El pasado miércoles 2 de octubre, tuve la oportunidad de ser entrevistada por el equipo de Cientificos.pe. Allí compartí algunos resultados de mi investigación doctoral y opiné sobre la actual situación en Perú de mayor incidencia de incendios forestales y algunas potenciales soluciones. En el siguiente video, la entrevista completa. Científicos.pe es una organización civil sin fines de lucro que realiza y promueve actividades…
My Current Work
Community-based fire management in the Peruvian Andes
My doctoral research documented traditional knowledge and local institutions for fire management in Quechua communities.
Harvesting lessons and strengthening coalitions for Amazonian Conservation
Postdoctoral associate at the University of Florida’s project ‘The Power of Connections’
Photo Gallery
Vanessa Luna-Celino 