PhD in Ecology with 20+ years leading biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions, and protected area strategies across Latin America and globally. Combining world-class scientific credentials with deep policy experience at IUCN, IPBES, TNC, UNDP, and FAO.
Biography
Bernal Herrera-Fernández is an internationally recognized conservation scientist and policy leader with more than two decades of experience advancing biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions across Latin America and globally. His career uniquely bridges rigorous scientific research, on-the-ground conservation practice, and high-level international policy.
He holds a PhD (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Freiburg, Germany, and has served as Science Director for The Nature Conservancy, Chair Director at CATIE (the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), and has contributed to programs at UNDP, FAO, and the European Commission.
At the international policy level, Bernal served as IUCN Vice-President for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Commission on Ecosystem Management (2016–2025) and as IPBES Bureau Member (2023–2024), directly shaping the global science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystems.
With 90+ scientific publications, fluency in Spanish, English, and German, and a track record that includes mobilizing over $76 million in conservation funding, Bernal brings a rare combination of scientific depth, institutional credibility, and practical experience to Green Sustainable Finance.
Credentials
Track Record
Pew Charitable Trust
Led the scientific and conservation design for Panama's first Project Finance for Permanence initiative — a landmark blended-finance mechanism structuring long-term funding commitments for national protected area networks and marine conservation corridors, ensuring financial sustainability beyond individual project cycles.
Project Finance for Permanence — scalable conservation funding modelUnited Nations Environment Programme
Developed the strategic framework for UNEP's regional restoration plan across Latin America and the Caribbean, integrating nature-based solutions with national policy commitments under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The plan set targets for restoring degraded ecosystems across 33 countries in the region.
Regional strategy spanning 33 LAC countriesIUCN
Developed IUCN guidance on Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) for Central America, supporting governments in meeting their 30×30 targets through recognition and governance of conserved areas beyond formal protected area systems — including indigenous territories and community-managed lands.
Policy framework adopted across Central American governmentsThe Nature Conservancy
As TNC Science Director, led the scientific underpinning of the Forever Costa Rica initiative — a landmark conservation finance program that secured over $50 million in long-term funding for Costa Rica's marine and terrestrial protected area system through endowment and trust fund structures. The program became a model for Project Finance for Permanence globally.
$50M+ secured in long-term endowment financeCATIE / USAID
Directed an $18 million USAID-funded biodiversity program at CATIE, integrating scientific research with on-the-ground conservation across Central America. The program supported sustainable land management, agroforestry systems, and landscape-level conservation strategies in priority biodiversity corridors.
$18M CATIE/USAID biodiversity programMultiple organizations (TNC, CATIE, IUCN)
Throughout a 20-year career, Bernal has fundraised and managed over $76 million in conservation and research grants from sources including USAID, GEF, EU, bilateral agencies, and private foundations — supporting biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and nature-based solutions across Latin America.
$76M+ raised across a 20-year careerRecognition
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