Nicole Colin is a Biologist with a doctoral degree in Biodiversity from the University of Barcelona, Spain and Master of Science from the University of Concepción, Chile. She is a member of the Chilean Society of Limnology and the International Society for Rivers Science (ISRS). Dr. Colin is an assistant professor of the Institute of Environmental and Evolutionary Sciences of the Austral University of Chile, where she has developed research focused on the effect of human activities on freshwater ecosystems in Chile and Spain. Through studies on native fish, she has evaluated various methodologies to improve the diagnosis of river health, relevant baseline information for the development of public policies for the management of freshwater ecosystems. She was involved in the Constitutional process with the objective of promoting the incorporation of integrated watershed management in Chilean legislation. She participated in the scientific committee of the Cop25 in Chile, and was a reviewer of the IPCC Climate Change reports. Her research has been strongly connected to citizen participation in environmental impact assessment studies for development projects, and multidisciplinary roundtables for environmental defense, such as community organization for San Pedro River Without Dams. This strong connection with the community has led her to coordinate the Community Science Program at the Austral University. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Community Water Biomonitoring and Management: Diagnosis and Solutions for Climate Change in the South of Chile with Mapuche-Williche Indigenous Communities

The project worked with the Mapuche-Williche Indigenous communities in Southern Chile to present key concepts about the principal tools for water monitoring. The project included three workshops, practical work in the field, and biological monitoring to co-produce ancestral and scientific knowledge around water health. The community learned processes for water monitoring so that they can take steps to diminish the effects of climate change. This approach built local capacity in water management, and in doing so strengthened local relationships for water governance.

IVLP Exchange Experience

Nicole participated in the IVLP Project Climate Change Challenges and Environmental Resilience, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas, in partnership with World Trade Center Institute, Global Ties Sacramento, WorldOregon and World Affairs Council - Seattle.

Nicole's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "From translational science, the approach transferred from the IVLP program in several instances was that science should be implemented from people or society needs. Then, [my IVLP Impact Award Project] is within the framework of this approach, implementing a biomonitoring strategy from and for Mapuche-Williche communities."

U.S. Communities Visited

Sacramento, CA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA

Country: Chile

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