Byron Swift works to support GWC’s wildland conservation programs with a particular emphasis on Latin America. His focus is to help local partners, communities and governments create new protected areas, strengthen their management and develop sustainable funding mechanisms for their future. He has worked over 30 years to conserve natural areas and endangered species in almost all countries of Latin America, on projects that have collectively conserved over 14 million acres of wildlands and many endangered species. An environmental lawyer, Byron is an expert in natural resources and lands and biodiversity conservation, as well as environmental policy and pollution prevention. He previously served as president of Nature and Culture International, founder and president of Rainforest Trust, and head of the United States office of IUCN - the World Conservation Union.