Shannon Noelle Rivera
• Focused on the Intersections of Conservation •
About Shannon...
Shannon Noelle Rivera is a conservation scientist, wildlife crime researcher, and environmental consultant largely focused on international conservation and the importance of intersections within conservation practice, including addressing animal welfare issues, identifying gender-sensitive strategies, and exploring under-prioritized areas of the illegal wildlife trade.
Over the past ten years, Shannon has worked within Southeast Asia, Latin America, Southern Africa, Oceania, Europe, and North America on various conservation initiatives alongside NGOs, IGOS, governmental agencies, and private contractors. |
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Shannon received a Master of Science with Distinction from the University of Winchester where her thesis examined limitations to the proper treatment and disposal of illegally traded and confiscated live animals in Southeast Asia. Access to OA article here: Surviving the Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia: Reforming the ‘Disposal’ of Confiscated Live Animals under CITES.
Shannon received two bachelor's and three minors from the University of Hawaiʻi where her undergraduate research examined barriers to assisted colonization for climate sensitive species. This research was a part of the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab within the Natural Resource and Environmental Management Department. Access the OA article here: Perceived Barriers to the Use of Assisted Colonization for Climate Sensitive Species in the Hawaiian Islands.
Currently, Shannon is completing a second Master's in International Affairs and Diplomacy with the United Nations Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR) with the goal of creating more robust and proactive dialogue within international relations on biodiversity loss while increasing the use of diplomatic mechanisms to support conservation.
When not working in the field, Shannon is proud to advocate for the protection of endangered species and our natural world as a contracted lecturer and science communicator.
Shannon received two bachelor's and three minors from the University of Hawaiʻi where her undergraduate research examined barriers to assisted colonization for climate sensitive species. This research was a part of the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab within the Natural Resource and Environmental Management Department. Access the OA article here: Perceived Barriers to the Use of Assisted Colonization for Climate Sensitive Species in the Hawaiian Islands.
Currently, Shannon is completing a second Master's in International Affairs and Diplomacy with the United Nations Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR) with the goal of creating more robust and proactive dialogue within international relations on biodiversity loss while increasing the use of diplomatic mechanisms to support conservation.
When not working in the field, Shannon is proud to advocate for the protection of endangered species and our natural world as a contracted lecturer and science communicator.
Education
• United Nations Institute for Training & Research | Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Master's in International Affairs & Diplomacy | Expected 2022 
• University of Winchester, 2018 Master of Science, Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law, with Distinction 
•University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa, 2016
Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies Bachelor of Arts, Gender & Conflict Resolution Zoology Minor | Dance Minor Peace Studies Certification 
•University of California, San Diego, 2012 Fundraising and Non-Profit Development Program 
•University of Buenos Aires, 2011 Spanish and Dance |
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
2020 USFS Regional Forester Award: Citizen Forester Program
2020 Recipient of NOAA / Pacific Risk Management Ohana Full Registration Scholarship
2019 ICCB 2019 Student Presentation Award Finalist, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2019 CITES CoP17 Delegate, Youth for Wildlife Conservation, Geneva, Switzerland
2018 Recipient of Society for Conservation Biology’s 2018 Graduate Research
Fellowship
2018 1st Place Award, International Fund for Animal Welfare Annual Essay Competition,
‘Playing Politics with Animals: Corruption in CITES and the International Wildlife Trade’
2017 Recipient of University of Winchester's International Taught Master Scholarship
2017 Recipient of US Fish & Wildlife Service Conservation Career Symposium
Scholarship, Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge, Hilo Hawaiʻi
2017 Recipient of the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance’s HCC Student Scholarship
2016 Recipient of the UH Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Grant
2016 1st Place Undergraduate Research & Social Science Oral Presentation, UH
Undergraduate Showcase
2016 Recipient of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii’s Scholarship
2016 Recipient of the University of Hawaii’s Achievement Scholarship
2016 Recipient of the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance’s Student Participation Opportunity
Grant, 2016 World Conservation Congress
2020 Recipient of NOAA / Pacific Risk Management Ohana Full Registration Scholarship
2019 ICCB 2019 Student Presentation Award Finalist, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2019 CITES CoP17 Delegate, Youth for Wildlife Conservation, Geneva, Switzerland
2018 Recipient of Society for Conservation Biology’s 2018 Graduate Research
Fellowship
2018 1st Place Award, International Fund for Animal Welfare Annual Essay Competition,
‘Playing Politics with Animals: Corruption in CITES and the International Wildlife Trade’
2017 Recipient of University of Winchester's International Taught Master Scholarship
2017 Recipient of US Fish & Wildlife Service Conservation Career Symposium
Scholarship, Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge, Hilo Hawaiʻi
2017 Recipient of the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance’s HCC Student Scholarship
2016 Recipient of the UH Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Grant
2016 1st Place Undergraduate Research & Social Science Oral Presentation, UH
Undergraduate Showcase
2016 Recipient of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii’s Scholarship
2016 Recipient of the University of Hawaii’s Achievement Scholarship
2016 Recipient of the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance’s Student Participation Opportunity
Grant, 2016 World Conservation Congress