Raf Stassen

Raf Stassen is the Founder and President of the Habitats Conservation, a non-profit organization dedicated to biodiversity conservation and restoration. With over two decades of experience in Latin America, Raf has collaborated closely with local and indigenous communities to protect and restore critical ecosystems. His work emphasizes the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation strategies, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like the Andean cloud forests. Raf's passion for herpetology is evident in his efforts to discover and protect amphibian species, including several yet to be described by science. In recent years, he has had a close collaboration with leading conservation organizations including Fundación Jocotoco and Centro Jambatu, further strengthening efforts to safeguard Ecuador’s unique herpetofauna. Through Habitats, he continues to lead initiatives that bridge community engagement with scientific research to enhance ecosystem resilience in the Tropical Andes and the Gran Chaco-Pantanal.