About

Barbara Gonzalez earned her degree in Geography with a minor in Africana and Latin American Studies from Colgate University, where she developed a foundation in environmental education, GIS, and conservation. As a 2025–2026 PiLA Fellow, she will be joining Osa Conservation in Costa Rica as a Rainforest Vertical Stratification Fellow. Barbara is especially interested in the intersections of community-based work, outdoor learning, and spatial technologies in advancing environmental goals. She’s excited to explore conservation challenges and solutions in Latin America, the region of her roots. 

​

Born and raised in Chile, Barbara finalized her high school education at UWC East Africa in Tanzania in 2021. She also completed the Academy program with Tilting Futures in 2021 and studied abroad with SIT Peru "Indigenous Peoples and Globalization" in the Spring of 2024. During her time at Colgate, she worked as a leader and staff trainer for Colgate's Outdoor Education, which instilled in her a passion for environmental education, conservation, and working with young people.