Skip to main content
Alonso, Alfonso

Alonso, Alfonso

Managing Director, International Field Programs

Share Profile URI

Share Profile URI

Download Profile in RDF
Co-author Network Map of Science Co-investigator Network

Alonso, Alfonso

Managing Director, International Field Programs

Biodiversity conservation professional who partners with governments, the private sector, financial institutions, and local stakeholders to provide advice on conservation best practices to support decision-making and sustainable development policy

Geographic Focus

Background And Education

Education And Training

Professional Biography

  • Dr. Alfonso Alonso is a conservation biologist who has worked for the Smithsonian for 25 years. He is very interested in determining how species of plants and animals are distributed in different ecosystems, as well as the implementation of monitoring programs to ensure their persistence. His current position focuses on integrating conservation needs with development priorities to maintain biodiversity. He develops evaluation and monitoring programs to minimize the impacts on biodiversity in oil and gas infrastructure projects. To do this, he organizes expeditions with researchers of specialties in different taxonomic groups of plants and animals. These conservation and development partnerships are aimed at avoiding, mitigating, and restoring the impacts of the Project, and developing best practices to protect biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services. Dr. Alonso enjoys giving talks and working with people from different cultures, and has done studies in America, Africa and Asia. Dr. Alonso has published more than 100 scientific articles and 5 books.

Public Biography

  • Alfonso Alonso is a conservation biologist at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Conservation and Sustainability. He is passionate about finding how species of plants and animals are distributed in different ecosystems. For the last 25 years, Alonso has developed monitoring programs to minimize impacts on biodiversity during oil and gas projects. For this, he assembles teams of researchers with specialties in different animal and plant groups. His studies work towards avoiding, mitigating, and restoring project impacts and to develop best practices to protect biodiversity.
    Alonso established the Gabon Biodiversity Program. Now in its 23rd year, the program aims to document the value of nature for local stakeholders, reduce impacts on wildlife, monitor forest and animal dynamics, and train the next generation of conservation practitioners. He also established the Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment Program (BMAP), a world-class standard to monitor biological diversity using scientific questions to guide the monitoring program. In addition, Alonso is one of the world experts in monarch butterfly ecology and conservation.
    Alonso received a Bachelor of Science in biology from the National University in Mexico in 1988 which led him to study the ecology and conservation of monarch butterflies. He also studied this endangered phenomenon for his master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Florida. In 1997, Alonso did postdoctoral research at the University of Oklahoma before joining the Smithsonian and has taken advanced training in communications skills, leadership, and project management. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Monarch Butterfly Fund.
    Alonso's interest in nature began early in life as he traveled with his parents to different regions within his native country of Mexico. He enjoys giving lectures and working with people, and has extensive research travel in North, Central and South America, Africa and Asia.

Research And Grants

Investigator On

Publications

Selected Publications

Contact

Location

Mailing Address

  • 1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Suite 3123

    Washington, DC  20560-0705

    USA