We’re thrilled to welcome Minette Peralta, who was selected to participate in this year’s Path of the Jaguar internship!
During this 18-week internship, Minette will be working alongside Mónica Montaño, environmental engagement coordinator, and Ángel García, Spanish communications coordinator. With her interest in conservation, environmental education, and community outreach, Minette will contribute to the design of activities and educational materials, as well as the creation of informative content presented in creative ways to promote our organization. She will also participate in person in the Moctezuma area and surrounding communities, conducting hands-on sessions with students, workshops, and school presentations on environmental topics.
Let’s get to know her a little better: Minette, tell us a bit about your background, what you enjoy about the Sky Islands, and what drew you to this internship.
Hi! My name is Minette Peralta and I’m originally from Jécori, Sonora. I studied for a bachelor’s degree in Biology at the Universidad de la Sierra in Moctezuma and graduated in 2023.
Since then I have had the opportunity to participate in projects throughout the Sky Islands in Sonora — with SIA as a volunteer building erosion-control structures, and with the Bavispe Flora and Fauna Protection Area installing remote cameras for wildlife monitoring.
As a biologist, I understand the importance of conserving and restoring the Sky Islands to protect the unique biodiversity found in our region, maintain the biological corridors that allow wildlife to move through the landscape, and preserve the natural resources that both ecosystems and human communities depend on.
The Sky Islands have unique and beautiful landscapes that I always enjoy when I go out into the field. My favorite so far is the Sierra Los Ajos in Sonora. I love seeing the tall pines that contrast with the more arid landscapes of the lower elevations. Walking among them reminds me of the importance of protecting them not only for their scenic beauty but for their fundamental role as wildlife habitat.
Also, as part of the Program for the Protection and Restoration of Priority Ecosystems and Species (PROREST) at the APFF Bavispe, one of the things I enjoy most is reviewing the photos and videos captured by the remote cameras, because I often come across curious, surprising, and sometimes even amusing images that show natural behaviors we rarely get to see directly in the field.
This experience has taught me the value of monitoring as a conservation tool, but it has also brought me closer to people in nearby communities through the shared excitement of discovering the wildlife that inhabits the mountains of the region.
Beyond fieldwork, I’ve always enjoyed combining creativity with environmental conservation, as it provides engaging and accessible tools for promoting a culture of respect for nature. I enjoy painting, drawing, and creating activities so that both children and adults can learn about conservation in a lively and entertaining way. I have always believed that art is a powerful form of communication, capable of sparking curiosity, building empathy, and motivating people to get involved in caring for the environment.
That is why this internship appealed to me so much. The Path of the Jaguar represents for me an opportunity to continue developing my conservation skills and knowledge, while collaborating with people who share an interest in protecting the Sky Islands’ biodiversity. I am confident that this experience will enrich my professional development and help me continue promoting environmental conservation both in the field and through education and outreach activities.