The People who make it happen
Eliecer Cruz - Director of the WWF Galapagos Programme
Eliecer is in demand; people fly in to meet him, his mobile rings incessantly, emails flood his inbox. This bright-eyed man is a walking encyclopaedia on the Galapagos.
Being a descendant of one of the first settlers to the islands and having dedicated most of his working life to the national park, he is well known both within the archipelago and in the environmental circles beyond.He jokes about growing a beard to grant him anonymity. Although he is the director of WWF Galapagos, he is directly involved at all levels of conservation and is certainly not afraid to get his hands dirty and contribute to the groundwork.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Galapagos until I was 12. After that I moved to Ibarra on the mainland prior to going to Guayaquil to study at the university there.
What subjects did you like best at school?
My favourite subject at school was natural sciences.
What did you want to be?
I wanted to be a professor.
What subjects did you study at University?
I studied biology.
How did you end up working for WWF?
I started working directly with WWF in this position in April 2003. Before that I was director of the Galapagos National Park that operated with WWF. When the previous Director resigned, I applied and got the job.
What do you like the most about your job?
I like the challenges, the impossibilities; big conservation hurdles especially appeal to me.
What do you dislike about the job?
I don't like the bureaucracy, the paperwork; I am all for action.
How would you describe yourself?
I am short-tempered for the things I dislike; yet I think I am a good communicator and I also excel at finding ways of making people agree.
What are your ambitions for the future?
I would like to do a PhD in national park management and return to the Galapagos. I would also like to create more marine protected areas in Ecuador and in Latin America; that is my big ambition.
I would say that it is good to listen to all parties. I would also say that laws are not fixed, in the sense that things can be done to improve what is already there. Finally I would advise not to be afraid of the mighty and take risks, its normal!
