Today, February 11th, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2004, was the founder of the Green Belt Movement, which planted more than 50 million trees in areas such as the mountains of Kenya. This project restored the highlands of East Africa, reducing soil erosion and improving water quality. She led the protection of the forests of Mount Kenya, a strategic point for maintaining water in the driest areas. Her work showed how reforestation can be a vital solution for maintaining the biodiversity of African mountains and inspired global sustainability movements.

Jane Goodall is one of the most influential primatologists in history, known for her pioneering work with chimpanzees in Tanzania. In addition to her ethological research, she has tirelessly advocated for the protection of forests and mountainous areas that house key biodiversity. She founded the Roots & Shoots program, which promotes the protection of natural habitats through educational projects worldwide. This initiative includes work to save the Congo forests, a biodiversity-rich mountainous region. Through the Jane Goodall Institute, she has been instrumental in the creation of nature reserves and education on the importance of protecting mountains and their ecosystems.

Heïdi Sevestre is a French glaciologist committed to studying and protecting glaciers. She has led expeditions to mountainous areas such as the Alps and the Himalayas, collecting data on accelerated melting. In one of her major projects, she documented the retreat of the Mont Blanc glaciers, contributing to the study of the effects of climate change on mountain ecosystems. Through her work with scientists and activists, she has promoted the creation of protected areas and global awareness about the need to stop glacial melting and its consequences for mountains.

Director of the Network for Nature Conservation (XCN) in Catalonia, Sandra Carrera is an ecologist and researcher with a strong commitment to the protection of mountainous environments, particularly in Catalonia’s mountains. Carrera has developed various research projects on biodiversity and the conservation of native species. One of her most important works has been her collaboration in restoring habitats for endangered species such as the bearded vulture and the wild olive, in the Montseny area. She has researched sustainable forest management practices to mitigate the effects of deforestation and soil erosion in mountainous areas. She is also a strong advocate for environmental awareness through educational activities in schools, where she teaches young people the importance of taking care of local mountainous ecosystems. Her focus on mountain biodiversity conservation makes her a leading figure in environmental science in Catalonia.

Olivia is a environmental activist and animal rights advocate born in Barcelona in 2007. At just 16 years old, she is an ambassador for the European Climate Pact of the European Commission and has been recognized for her commitment to ocean protection and the fight against climate change. She created the “Jelly Cleaner“, a tool to clean the sea, and has been compared to Greta Thunberg for her dedication to the environmental cause. One of her most relevant projects has been her involvement in the protection of Collserola Mountain, a highly valuable ecological area surrounding Barcelona. Mandle has promoted initiatives to reduce the effects of mass tourism and pollution in the area, through public awareness campaigns and organizing events for the preservation of the natural environment. She has also supported reforestation projects and the protection of native flora and fauna.