photo courtesy of Wezddy Del Toro Orozco
Wezddy Del Toro Orozco is redefining what it means to do conservation research by bringing together science, community, and storytelling. A Ph.D. candidate in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources’s Integrative Conservation program, Del Toro Orozco was recognized with the 2026 Engaged Scholarship Award for her work on human-wildlife coexistence. Her research examines how people and jaguars live alongside one another in the Central Amazon, where interactions with large carnivores are part of daily life for many communities.
Her work is rooted in both scientific inquiry and lived experience.
“One night in the Amazon, I saw a jaguar watching silently from the riverbank. It was a powerful reminder that for many communities, these animals are not just symbols of conservation, but part of everyday life.”
Using an interdisciplinary approach, her research examines both jaguar behavior and human perspectives, working closely with local communities and organizations in developing solutions to local issues. From outreach sessions to visual storytelling, her work emphasizes that conservation is not just ecological, but deeply social. Through these efforts, she has seen firsthand how dialogue can shift perspectives and foster coexistence between people and wildlife.
photo courtesy of Wezddy Del Toro Orozco
“This award affirms that engaged scholarship is not secondary. It is essential.”
For Del Toro Orozco, the Engaged Scholarship Award represents not only her own work, but also the many communities and collaborators who have contributed to it. Her approach to research is grounded in the belief that meaningful conservation must be inclusive, community-centered, and connected to real-world needs.
Throughout her educational journey, Del Toro Orozco has been supported by a strong network of mentors and collaborators.
“My graduate experience has been shaped by a strong community of support starting from my family and friends.” She credits her advisor, Dr. Nate Nibbelink, as “a consistently supportive and thoughtful mentor,” and highlights the impact of program leaders who helped her navigate her experience at UGA.
She also emphasizes the importance of learning from local experts in the Amazon, whose knowledge has shaped her approach to conservation. As she puts it, “No one does this work alone. It is always shaped by community.”
photo courtesy of Wezddy Del Toro Orozco
Before coming to UGA, Del Toro Orozco spent years working in the Brazilian Amazon, where she saw the need to integrate ecological and social perspectives in conservation. “I knew I needed a program that would truly support that integration,” she explains. The Integrative Conservation program stood out for their interdisciplinary focus, allowing her to work at the intersection of science, policy, and communities in a meaningful way.
Outside of her research, Del Toro Orozco brings creativity and global perspective to her work. “I’m fluent in four languages, which has been essential for bridging cultural and linguistic divides,” she shares, noting how storytelling and photography play a key role in communicating about conservation. Del Toro Orozco’s scholarship has not only taken her all over the world, but also across ecosystems. From working with marine mammals to living in the heart of the Amazon, where, as she recalls, “howler monkeys were my morning alarm, and, occasionally, a caiman bumping its head against the floor felt like the snooze button.” Through her interdisciplinary work and commitment to collaboration, Wezddy Del Toro Orozco continues to build bridges between science, communities, and the natural world.
photo courtesy of Wezddy Del Toro Orozco
The Engaged Scholarship by Graduate Students Award recognizes extraordinary community-engaged scholarship and public service by graduate students. Such as endeavors that advance the public service, outreach, and engagement mission at UGA. This award is established by the Graduate School in connection with UGA Public Service & Outreach and the Office of Service-Learning.
