On November 19, 2025, during the second week of COP30, Conservation Strategy Fund convened an Evening of Impact in Belém do Pará. The event brought together 50 leaders from government, civil society, and CSF’s global alumni network to celebrate breakthroughs in conservation and chart a bold path forward for climate and biodiversity action. It was an inspiring gathering made possible by the generous support of the Dry Creek Foundation. 

Events like the Evening of Impact demonstrate the power of convening the right people at the right moment. At a moment when the world is seeking practical, scalable solutions for nature and people, this evening of storytelling and discussion centered around how to turn economic insights into smarter decisions for the planet.

As the world looks beyond COP30, CSF will continue leveraging economics to shape more effective, just, and sustainable conservation decisions, while prioritizing collaboration with partners across the Amazon.

CSF Stories: Leadership, Innovation, and the Amazon’s Economy 

The evening began with a warm reception, followed by a series of short, dynamic presentations that highlighted the breadth and depth of CSF’s current work. Executive Director Scott Edwards opened with a simple but powerful idea: economics, when applied well, helps decision-makers choose conservation.

Three core themes framed the evening’s storytelling:

	1. Leadership & Capacity Development Natalia Sanín Acevedo, CSF Global Training Director, shared how CSF’s training programs are equipping a new generation of conservation leaders with the economic tools needed to shape evidence-based environmental policy across Africa, Latin America, and the Indo-Pacific.
	2. Innovation & Impact Across Brazil and Latin America Julia Queiroz, CSF Brazil Director, highlighted how our economic tools are transforming complex science into clear, actionable insights—supporting prosecutors, government agencies, and civil society as they drive accountability, accelerate enforcement, and safeguard ecosystems across the region.
	3. The Economy of the Amazon Leonardo Bakker, one of CSF’s economists, demonstrated the immense economic value of the Amazon’s protected areas and ecosystem services. He reminds the group that this value is evidence for why investing in conservation is not only an environmental imperative, but the smartest financial choice governments can make.

Alumni Stories: Impact in Action

One of the most inspiring segments of the evening came from four distinguished CSF alumni whose work is shaping conservation outcomes across the globe. Speakers included:

• Lilian Wawa, Government of Tanzania
• José Aruna, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Isabel Lobato, Inter-American Development Bank, Brazil
• Daniel Caramori, Sitawi, Brazil

Each shared how CSF’s training has strengthened their ability to influence policy, drive innovation, and lead conservation initiatives in their home countries. Their stories illustrated the power of capacity development to scale durable, locally led impact. 

Inspiring Collaborations: Strengthening Conservation Through Partnerships

The final element of the evening was a panel discussion with key leaders in the conservation movement. Each panelist spoke to the value of partnering with CSF and underscored that lasting conservation impact depends on collaborative, evidence-based approaches that bridge science, policy, and community-led action.

Panelists Included:

• Megan MacDowell, Executive Director, Andes Amazon Fund
• Gilberto Batista Naves Filho, Brazil Public Prosecutors’ Office
• Beto Mesquita, Director of Sustainable Landscapes, Conservation International Brazil
• John Beavers, President, Amazon Conservation Association

Gratitude 

This special event would not have been possible without the Dry Creek Foundation’s commitment to building a world where economic decisions support thriving ecosystems and communities. Their partnership continues to expand CSF’s reach and amplify our impact globally.

The CSF Team would like to thank all of our speakers, guests and alumni for being a part of this event. 

We remain energized by what this night set in motion. Together, we are building a strong economic case for protecting the natural world.