Have you ever wondered how conservationists spend their days or what keeps them optimistic about the future of nature? Do they always spend their time in the distant wild, or might they be hidden all around us? Do their roles encompass aspects we never thought of?
“Meet The Optimists” is a blog series by Conservation Optimism which introduces conservationists working in different fields and contexts to our readers. We discuss their journeys into conservation, typical daily activities and reasons for hope.
Read on for the inside story on different careers and fresh approaches to conservation!
Welcome to a special series of “Meet the Optimists” featuring winners of the 2025 Whitley Awards. In this blog, Yara Barros talks about her work as a conservation biologist and Executive Coordinator of Project Jaguars of Iguaçu. Yara is the recipient of a 2025 Whitley Award from the Whitley Fund for Nature.
Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Yara Barros, a Brazilian conservation biologist and Executive Coordinator of Project Jaguars of Iguaçu, based in the Iguaçu National Park in Brazil and I also coordinate the Brazilian Action Plan for the Conservation of Big Cats.
My current work focuses on jaguar conservation, including research and promoting coexistence between people and large carnivores in one of the most biodiverse regions of the Atlantic Forest. For the last 30 years I have been working with conservation of endangered species, including the Spix’s Macaw. I have worked in the field with, NGO’s, zoo and government.
I am also a member of the IUCN’s Conservation Planning Specialist Group.
In 2025, I was honored with the Whitley Award and the WINGS Women of Discovery Award, recognitions that reflect not just my work, but the dedication of all the people who fight daily for wildlife conservation.
Can you trace the origins of your interest in conservation and what led to your current work?
I grew up in Brazil surrounded by nature, but also by stories of species disappearing. My passion became a commitment during my Ph.D. in Zoology, when I realized that conservation was not just about science, but about people — their perceptions, fears, and relationships with wildlife. One turning point was working with the critically endangered Spix’s macaw, an experience that taught me the urgency of acting before a species is gone, and the complexity of balancing field biology, community engagement, and policy. That mindset eventually led me to the Jaguar, an animal that embodies both the beauty of nature and the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence.
What does a typical day of work look like for you?
There is no “typical” day working in conservation — and that’s part of the magic. I work in many areas with my team: answering urgent calls about a predation case in a rural property, working in the forest checking camera traps, capturing and monitoring jaguars, drafting proposals, accounting, looking for grants, taking care of the project’s communication. I also hold lots of lectures and capacity building events. And let’s not forget the endless emails, reports, and coordination calls — the less glamorous, but equally necessary side of keeping a project alive 😊
What is your favourite and least favourite aspect about your role?
My favorite part is knowing that our work is making a difference for jaguars and people.
Also, be in the forest or talking to the community, implementing ideas. I love it. My least favorite is dealing with all the bureaucratic (but very important) work of coordinating a project.
As a conservationist, what makes you hopeful about the future?
Hope comes from the resilience of both nature and people. Forests regenerate when given the chance. Species bounce back when protected. Communities, once hostile to wildlife, become guardians when they are part of the solution. I’ve seen attitudes shift dramatically, and those transformations keep me believing that coexistence is possible. I think that believing that our work can make a difference is what keeps us hopeful.
What helps you stay positive day-to-day?
I surround myself with small reminders of why I do this work and how it impacts both jaguars and people. I draw strength from my team’s energy, their love and commitment, and from the laughter we share after a long day in the field. I also find strength in my network of colleagues around the world — knowing that, in different time zones and habitats, we’re all fighting our own versions of the same battle – it is a powerful image 🙂
Could you share a story about a formative moment in your conservation career?
A life-changing experience for me was my first trip to the Caatinga. It was when I saw, for the very first time, the last wild Spix’s macaw — the last of its kind — and felt an overwhelming need to do something for the species. One last individual… so fragile, yet still holding on. The last Spix’s macaw (a male) was paired with a female Illiger’s macaw. Since the two species have different roosting habits, at the end of the day, with the sun almost setting and the Caatinga sky turning orange, the two birds would arrive at the spot where the Illiger’s macaw roosted (in a tree cavity). The Spix’s macaw would wait for her to go inside, then fly to a cactus in the middle of the Caatinga, returning the next morning to spend the day together.
And it was as they arrived at the roost that evening that I saw him for the first time. I believe that was the day I became a conservationist. And spending four years there, working side by side with the community, taught me so much about conservation — especially that it’s about people. The professional (and the human being) I am today was forged in the Caatinga. 🙂
Any advice for someone interested in pursuing your field of work?
I think the most important thing is this: fall in love with whatever it is you want to conserve. Don’t give up. Understand that to save animals, we need to work with people. A conservationist must be a storyteller — someone who touches the heart to teach the mind. And use enchantment as a tool! I’ve always believed that when enchantment opens the door, knowledge enters in a transformative way.
Be ready for the long game — real change takes years, sometimes decades. And finally, find your tribe. This work is too challenging to do alone, and the right people will keep you grounded, inspired, and laughing, even when things get hard.
Learn more about Yara’s work at Project Jaguars of Iguaçu.
Video provided by Yara Barros
