Conservation Fellows

Chantha Chroeng, Cambodia Conservation Fellow

Chantha Chroeng is leading surveys to document seagrass diversity and health in Cambodia’s Kampot and Kep provinces. The results of her work will guide marine habitat protection and strengthen the capacity of community fisheries to manage marine resources. Chantha created a Seagrass Identification Booklet for distribution to universities, government, and communities, making her research immediately beneficial to conservation. Chantha is pursuing a master’s degree in biodiversity conservation at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. She is preparing her bachelor’s thesis research—conducted with Wild Earth Allies—for publication.

Diane Mahano, Democratic Republic of the Congo Conservation Fellow

Diane Mahano collaborates with Wild Earth Allies’ partner Primate Expertise (PEx), a Congolese NGO. As a Conservation Fellow, Diane supports reforestation projects and researches the human uses of plants consumed by great apes. Her work supports great ape conservation and the health and livelihoods of communities bordering Kahuzi-Biega National Park—home to the critically endangered Grauer’s gorilla. Diane interned with the PEx reforestation team in 2023. She trained as an agricultural engineer at the Catholic University of Bukavu, specializing in water and forestry.

Florence Mukantabana, Rwanda Conservation Fellow

Florence Mukantabana works closely with our Conservation Advisor Eugène Rutagarama and partner Imbereheza Gahunga, a women-led cooperative, to construct water tanks in communities bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. As part of her Fellowship, Florence interviews each family who receives a water tank, gathering testimonials and key metrics to track the impact of the project on people and endangered mountain gorillas. In July 2023, Florence presented findings from her work at the International Congress for Conservation Biology in Rwanda. She graduated from the University of Rwanda College of Education with an advanced diploma in entrepreneurship.

Louis Peña, Belize Conservation Fellow

Louis Peña is a Belizean biologist who collaborates with Wild Earth Allies botanist Steven Brewer to build botanical knowledge and capacity through our Trees of Belize program. Together, they are documenting the country’s 1,309+ tree species in support of a comprehensive digital field guide.

In addition to his Fellowship, Louis is employed by Bull Run Overseas Limited in Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize. His conservation efforts focus on both bird and plant ecology. In his work with birds, Louis volunteers as an eBird reviewer and works alongside a team of biologists from the Peregrine Fund. He attends Galen University and is earning his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies.

Melani Sánchez Flores, El Salvador Conservation Fellow

Melani Sánchez Flores is from a fishing community in Jiquilisco Bay, El Salvador. She has worked with her family in sea turtle conservation for more than 16 years. Exposure to this important field inspired Melani to study biology at the University of El Salvador. As a Conservation Fellow, Melani works with Wild Earth Allies’ partner ProCosta, a Salvadoran NGO. As part of her fellowship, she researches sea turtle-associated ecosystems and contributes to community-based conservation. Melani is excited that her work will enhance the quality of life of her fellow community members and improve the conservation status of sea turtles in Jiquilisco Bay.