Valeria is a conservation biologist conducting social-ecological research within the coastal protected areas of Western Australia. Her PhD project focuses on elucidating how access to protected areas influences people’s ability to benefit from ecosystem services and how these benefits are distributed across social groups. The accessibility of protected areas is shaped by various factors, ranging from landscape characteristics and spatial connectivity to management decisions and governances. For instance, remote protected areas may require significant travel time, resulting in diminished potential benefits for local communities. Similarly, sanctuaries situated near urban centres may still be inaccessible due to implemented restrictions.

Valeria’s work highlights the crucial role that the design and management of protected areas play in shaping the quality of life for local communities and indigenous populations. These factors have long-term implications for people’s perceptions of conservation and their overall well-being. Valeria’s work highlights the crucial role that the design and management of protected areas play in shaping the quality of life for local communities and indigenous populations. Her research aims to explore conservation trade-offs, providing valuable insights to decision-makers on how conservation actions impact those living in the vicinity of protected areas.

To achieve this goal, Valeria is collecting data across the entire region, encompassing over 30 protected areas. She is collaborating with research fellows in economics, policy, and social sciences, as well as engaging with decision-makers at both local and regional levels. By bridging research with practice, her project not only contributes to environmental objectives but also advances progress toward sustainable development goals.