Luis Augusto Ponce de León Mendoza

I am a dedicated and results-driven environmental professional with a diverse background in water quality testing, forestry, and environmental education. Proven experience in coordinating and cooperating in projects like mining water quality certifications, sea turtle conservancy and restauration/conservation forestry.  experience in GIS (Geographic Information System) and EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). Passionate about learning and leveraging my skills to contribute to meaningful environmental initiatives.
 

• National Water Commission (of Mexico) (CONAGUA)

April 15, 2016 - October 15, 2016 

Assistance in sampling of waterbodies and water quality analysis (Scholarship intern)

.- Collection of samples from water bodies around the urban area of the city of Colima, Mexico for water quality monitoring.

.- Review of public and private applications for water usage permits in provincial rural and urban developments.

.- Mapping and wetland classification of the province of Colima, Mexico, (GIS and data analysis).

• University of Colima Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences (FCBA), Hacienda de San Antonio Hotel (Private company) and El Jabalí (Federal Flora and Fauna Protection Area)

August 20, 2016 - December 5, 2016 

Lead research on project seminar: "Macromycetes of El Jabalí Protected Forest and Wildlife Refuge"(Freelancing contract and research project)

.- Planeation and determination of recollection zones, implementation of recollecting methods.

.- Identified specimens and compiled a species inventory.

.- Species diversity analysis using the collected data of macromicetes from the protected forest zone "Laguna El Jabalí," Comala, Colima, Mexico.

• National Forestry Commission (of Mexico) (CONAFOR)

February 20, 2017 - June 20, 2017 

Assistance in several federal and provincial forestry programs and projects (Scholarship intern)

.- Practical and logistical support of diverse ongoing province government forestry projects (as requested by lead project manager).

.- Assisted in the implementation of education provincial projects to promote awareness of the proper usage of native forestry resources.

• University of Colima Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences (FCBA)

March, 2017 - June, 2017 

Environmental Education Project: "Reforestation Alone is Not Enough" (Provincial/University program)

.- Planning, designing, and implementing provincial rural education project.

.- Presentation of the program among rural communities in Manzanillo, Colima; showcasing the importance of native forest species and sustainable forestry resource usage methods.

• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Food (SAGARPA) (now SADER)

February 1, 2018 - June 30, 2018 

Technical Support - "El Campo en Nuestras Manos" ("The rural field in our hands") Program (Freelancer)

.- Field technician for the rural aid development projects (livestock production packages for rural and marginalized areas in Colima, Mexico).

• Sea Turtle Conservation Camp 'Mayto', Jalisco, Mexico.

July 2018 – November 2018

Assistant Biologist in the mexican national program for the protection and conservation of sea turtles during the 2018 season, (Voluntary work)

.- Patrolled and monitored the 12km of the main bay beach of Mayto, Jalisco, Mexico.

.- Localization, collection, relocation and protection of sea turtles nests.

.- Registered and monitored relocated nests for the subsequent release of hatchlings.

.- Data gathering for federal reports on results of conservation efforts and practices.

.- Planification and implementation of conservational education program for tourists and students.

.- Collaboration with data gathering for NGO´s working on site, like Upwell Turtles.

• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Food (SAGARPA) (now SADER), National Center for Training, Certification, and Evaluation, A.C. (CENACEC)

December, 2018 - January, 2019

Field technician- "Support to Small Producers" Program (Freelancer)

.- Field work implementing and surveilling the provincial project "Strengthening Family Production Units for Community Development" in the rural community of Las Guásimas, Colima, Col.

• Quality Mining Services Company (ECOFOR)

February 2019 – March 2020

Field sampling technician for recertification project of processed waters of the Iron mining facility Peña Colorada in Minatitlán, Colima, (Freelancer) 

.- Technical support, collection, labeling and storage of mining tailings water samples from the tailings dam “El Arrayanal”.

• Environmental Consulting Agency, (in charge of) P.E. Rebeca Rolón Llamas. 

April  2020 – July 2021

Field biologist and technical work in several steps of EIA projects (provincial and private) in Colima, Mexico, (Freelancer)

.- Field survey to identify existing environmental conditions. Evaluation of potential impacts to the ecosystems, flora, fauna, and water bodies.

.- Revision of documents for compliance to provincial, national, and international environmental standards and protocols for regulatory approvals and permits.

.- Collected and analyzed biological data, including biodiversity surveys, habitat assessments, and species inventories. 

.- Mapping and analysis of spatial data related to ecological features (GIS tools implementation).

.- Implemented established protocols to track the effectiveness of mitigation measures applied to projects.
 

Bachelor's Degree in Biology (Colima University), July 2013 - July 2017 (Major in Conservation Biology)

Bachelor's Degree in Biology (University of Prince Edward Island UPEI), June 2015 - December 2015 (One-semester international exchange program)

• COURSES

Veterinary and Toxicology of Venomous Reptiles of the Colima Province, Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Science, University Of Colima, September 2013

Mushroom Cultivation Training, Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Science, University Of Colima, May 2016

Crocodile Management and Conservation, Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Science, University Of Colima, June 2016

Production of Organic Fertilizers and Seedlings Production, SAGARPA (now SADER), February 2017

Data Mapping with GIS and Other Practical Applications Workshop, Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Science, University Of Colima, March 2017