Tobias Garstecki, Ph.D.

Director of Protected Area Planning and management

Education

Ph.D, Zoology, University of Cologne 
MSc, Biology, Free University Berlin

Tobias supports Re:wild’s partners to manage and govern protected and conserved areas effectively. This involves facilitating the development of management strategies and plans, helping to design governance and management structures, as well as capacity building for individuals and organizations involved in protected and conserved areas.

Originally from northeastern Germany, Tobias studied zoology at Free University Berlin and wrote his PhD about the coastal Baltic. Following a few years each with the British Antarctic Survey and the IUCN South Caucasus Office, he worked as a freelance consultant on protected areas planning, management and capacity development between 2009 and 2023.

Tobias is an active member of the Conservation Coaches Network Europe and has completed a training on systemic consulting and organizational development. He enjoys supporting protected and conserved areas stewards, teams, organizations and networks to chart and probe their own course towards working more successfully, and with more fun.

Tobias lives with his family in San Sebastián (Spain), where he spends his spare time learning Euskera, exploring the mountains and swimming in the sea.

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