Training parataxonomists for Costa Rica's national biodiversity inventory: the experiences of the first predominantly female course (1992)

Abstract

The Costa Rican National Biodiversity Institute (INBIo) is about to start a 10-year total biodiversity inventory of Costa Rica. The INBio parataxonmists are rural persons vocationally trained by INBio t o conduct the bulk of this inventory effort in the field. They were almost entirely male, since they were initially drawn from the pool of salaried rural employees of national parks, forest reserves and conservation NGO’s. To explicitly redress this inbalance, a grant from the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation t o INBio provided three-year positions for 16 female parataxonomists, and two others were supported by Costa Rican Conservation Areas. The third INBio parataxonomist course, taught during the first half of 1992, therefore had 18 women and three men. The course was financed by a major grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, matched by grants from the Pew Charitable Trust, Moriah Fund, Conervation Food and Health Foundation, and Gender Office of the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA). All 21 graduates are now at work in their respective Biodiversity Offices. INBio now has 20 female parataxonomists and 21 male parataxonomists.