Saddened by the loss of global conservation leader and UF/TCD alumnus Dr. Gustavo Fonseca

We are deeply saddened by the loss of global conservation leader Dr. Gustavo Fonseca, who passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. At the time of his death, Gustavo was Director of Programs for The Global Environmental Facility. 

Gustavo was a dear friend, alumnus, colleague, and mentor to the TCD program and countless others. His passion and dedication to biodiversity conservation and the environmental well-being of the planet were legendary. Gustavo completed his MA (Latin American Studies, 1983) and PhD (Forest Resources and Conservation, 1988) at UF and remained a strong advocate of UF and TCD throughout his career.  For the past 40 years, first as a professor at Federal University of Minas Gerais, then as Executive Vice-President and Chief Conservation Science Officer at Conservation International, and most recently as Director of Programs at The GEF, Gustavo made significant impacts on tackling the world’s most pressing environmental and conservation challenges.  Learn more about his career here or on our FB post.

We will miss him greatly.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends in this difficult time.