Ecology & Education Program Director
Bocavaldivia: Connecting Food & Biodiversity Conservation
Ecological Research & Communications Strategy | Kelly Skye
Principle Designers | Kelly Skye & Andres Pacheco
Other team members | Dayra Reyes, Paul Bulenca, Robert Kiss, Vanessa Armendáriz
Bocavaldivia is an organization based in coastal Ecuador that celebrates the connections between agroforestry and healthy ecosystems. It is also focused on promoting the practice of regenerative food forest agriculture as an alternative to monocultural techniques.
I was the Ecology & Education Program Director, managing cross-functional teams focused on ecological research and communications. In this role, I developed a GIS-based system to enhance natural resource planning, improving land use evaluation speed and data analysis accuracy.
Additionally, our team developed multi-platform science communications campaigns that were very successful, gaining media attention from groups like Netflix and CNN. We also secured international representation with the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and influenced local conservation policies.
Mapping the bioregion
I was the lead land-use planner for this group and developed several detailed mappings of the region to inform conservation program development.
We worked with a sketch artist to bring our meetings to life and create visual road maps for reaching our goals.
(Sketch credit: Robert Kiss)
Social Media Campaigns
Our team worked hard to create compelling content for various social media platforms. We emphasized bold copywriting and scroll-stopping photography.
Oceanic Health Initiative
This was a subprogram for which I also led the research and communications strategy. I provided clear, compelling, and scientifically rigorous materials for use across various outreach channels.
Video work
I worked with a talented cinematographer to make video content that connected supporters to the incredible landscape we are trying to protect and regenerate. This video work was used to bring our initiatives to life for governmental representatives and fundraising efforts.
Food from the forest
To secure multiple funding streams, I also worked with the team to create sustainable products to sell online and in local venues. Together, we conceptualized and did market research for several regenerative food products, including coffee, cacao, and a chef-formulated superfood blend. These products are now in the development and distribution phases.
A super food mix made of herbs and spices from the local forest farm at Bocavaldivia.
Cacao products grown in the Ecuadorian mist forest, in Finca El Abrazo, a satellite research station.
Eco-Education Initiatives
I helped to design and initiate a multi-level eco-education initiative that included “food forest classrooms” for local schools, the construction of additional school facilities, and curriculum support. We also developed an eco-culinary educational experience for visitors, focusing on teaching biodiverse food preparation, foraging, and agroforestry techniques.
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Our campaign made an impression. The initiative reached the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and the founder of Bocavaldivia, Rodrigo Pacheco, an incredible Ecuadorian chef and conservationist, was invited to be a global ambassador. This honor then led to several speaking and advocacy engagements at the highest levels of government.
I helped develop the research presentations for these exciting opportunities, focusing on increasing political support for sustainable agriculture and environmental education opportunities in coastal Ecuador. This led to our local education program and coastal habitat sustainability initiatives being funded, enabling the organization to make a systemic impact in the region.
Press & Publicity
Part of my role required forming relationships with media outlets both locally and internationally. This work led to the organization being featured in CNN’s international “Call to Earth Campaign”. We also were featured in many local newspapers and news-based television programming.
Fundación Amor 7.8
This is a short promo video I produced, directed, and edited for Bocavaldivias’ sister foundation, Fundación Amor 7.8. We collaborated closely with this organization to build schools and design a curriculum focused on new forms of regenerative agriculture and the celebration of biodiverse foods. This organization procured additional funding by sharing this video with its network of interested philanthropists and governmental representatives.
