
Patrick Chesney
Patrick Chesney has worked in agricultural research, biodiversity conservation, and environmental sustainability in Guyana and the Caribbean for more than 25 years. He has developed, implemented and/or supervised the implementation of projects with governments, UN bodies, NGOs, academia and civil society in Guyana, other countries of the Guiana Shield (Brazil, Colombia, Suriname and French Guiana), and the English-speaking Caribbean.
His main areas of expertise include tropical agroforestry systems, organic agriculture, horticulture, biodiversity conservation, protected areas, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), indigenous land titling and design of participatory conflict resolution mechanisms, the role of biodiversity and ecosystems in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and support to treaty negotiation for the conservation of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Patrick holds a PhD in Tropical Agroforestry, a MSc in Horticulture, a BSc in Agriculture and has completed additional trainings, e.g. in UN mandatory courses, “Natural Resources for Sustainable Development”, “Leadership and Management Development (UNDP)”, “biodiversity conservation planning”, “plant genetic resources management”, and “green economy”. He was a recipient of two research grants for young researchers from the International Foundation for Science and chair/director of governing boards for state agriculture, protected areas and climate change in Guyana and the Caribbean.