Jailene Santana

Jailene is Puerto Rican and grew up in the United States. Her ethnic background gives her a strong sense of social justice for all communities, and she is especially passionate about the link between human wellbeing and connection to nature. She spent 2 years working as Conservation Program Manager for a private landholder in South East Queensland and has developed great interest and expertise in Australian flora and fauna. When not working for the EcoCentre, Jailene works as an ecosystem and biodiversity restoration consultant at Rewild for Resilience, specialising in biodiversity finance and land restoration project management.

Jailene’s academic background has been interdisciplinary, bringing together environmental and ecological economics with policy, international development economics and climate change mitigation and adaptation policy. She holds a Bachelor’s in International Environmental Studies, a Master of Science in Environment and Sustainable Development and has recently completed a Master of Public Policy.

The EcoCentre acknowledges the Kulin Nations, including the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung language group, traditional owners of the land on which we are located.

We pay respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Elder members of our multicultural community.