Nature trips: photographic, birdwatching, and/or educational

We are currently living in a time when trips dedicated to discovering the natural environment and observing wildlife have become enormously popular, possibly thanks to easier access to flights, proficiency in different languages, and greater economic accessibility.

What used to be “all-inclusive” trips has diversified according to the type of audience. Today we can find, for example:

• Purely photographic trips, designed to seek out landscapes, backdrops, and the country’s emblematic wildlife, with the aim of returning home with memory cards full of images.
• Birdwatching trips, focused on spotting those species one has long dreamed of seeing—often a trip for a single bird—so it can be added as a “lifer” to the birder’s personal list.
• Educational trips, where wildlife observation is accompanied by learning and reflection in the form of a course, turning the experience into personal enrichment based on conservation and environmental education.

To understand the different types and the value they bring to their audiences, this roundtable will feature:

Helenia Salazar, a prominent professional in the field of ecotourism and conservation, with a solid academic background in tourism. Twelve years ago, she founded Namaterra, a tour operator specializing in birdwatching trips both within and outside Costa Rica. Namaterra works with biologists who are ornithology experts and ICT-certified naturalist guides with extensive knowledge of the natural history of birds and the country’s biodiversity; thanks to this, they are able to raise awareness about the challenges we must face as humans in the face of climate change, while also revealing the wonders this land has to offer.

Laura Camón, a biologist and primatologist currently working as a science communicator specializing in animal behavior, contributing to media outlets such as El País and Radio Aragón. She also collaborates with SEO/Birdlife Aragón and leads the Animal Behavior course/expedition at Bio+. The Biomas Association (or Bio+) promotes nature, cultural, educational, and citizen science trips, where anyone can participate and face the reality of conservation in the places where it is most needed, through courses and expeditions focused on knowledge and environmental education.

Manuel Mojarro, passionate about nature, with many years of experience as a responsible group guide and heritage expert, he has been organizing professional birdwatching and hiking tours since 2004. He founded Wild Doñana in 2012, where he organizes guided hiking and birdwatching routes in natural areas such as Doñana, the Odiel Marshes, and Sierra Morena. His expert guides offer unique experiences for wildlife and natural heritage enthusiasts, and the company stands out for its commitment to conservation and responsible ecotourism.

Roger Sanmartí, an ornithologist and wildlife photographer with extensive experience in hide management. He is a specialist in conservation projects linked to photography, and his passion for the land and the preservation of the natural environment is reflected in every image and initiative. Alongside Carles Santana, in 2009 he founded Photo Logistics, a leading wildlife tourism and photography company, with more than 90 hides in Spain and the organization of photographic safaris around the world.

Ignacio Torres, a biologist and global traveler with a special interest in seeing all the bird families of the world as well as the maximum number of species possible. Professionally, he has been dedicated to nature conservation for over thirty years. In the roundtable, he will be responsible for directing and moderating the discussion, allocating speaking turns among the participants and asking specific, personalized questions thanks to his extensive experience in nature travel.