First I want to apologize for this post delay, but to be complete honest with you, it was hard to find a topic to talk about. However, during past days I had the opportunity to share my experience and knowledge with a potential future biologist. While talking with him I realize that part of Zocay Project success is that we had persisted working in private lands by a combination of good decisions and hard work, especially during early years, and being able to adapt ourselves to talk with people of different backgrounds over the years.
Those initial good decisions build trust between landowners and researchers/ students because we were able to sit and listen to each other, share our knowledge and agreed on management actions that benefit them and the wildlife inhabiting their land. This couldn’t be possible without the hard work of some students and my persistence, despite all challenges, to continue working in those farms.
Being able to talk with people of different backgrounds is extremely important when working close to people, not matter if it is landowners, farm workers, peasant or indigenous communities. Our skills to talk and explain scientific concept to people is part of the success of any long term project.
Another important factor is to be able to secure financial support, probably the most difficult part and one that for sure I didn’t master yet.
Additional factors that influence your success on a long term project is your personal motivation. For me, being close to monkeys and forest as well as trying to understand how they persist and survive despite all threats surrounding them are my constant motivations to continue as long as the landowners allow me to be in their farms.
So, if you are thinking about implementing a long term project not matter the context or species you study, first build trust with people living in the area and listen their concerns, work together to find solutions and consult each other opinions when making management decisions. Stay motivated and never loose your passion for what you are doing.
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