Herber Guerra is Hoja Nueva’s lead builder and has been responsible for many of the major structures that have allowed the organization to grow.

Building in Madre de Dios requires far more than conventional construction knowledge. Materials must often be transported long distances, sites are exposed to extreme humidity, heavy rainfall, flooding, insects, vegetation, and limited infrastructure, and buildings must be adapted to both tropical conditions and the practical realities of field conservation.

Herber and his team have constructed major components of Hoja Nueva’s wildlife rehabilitation and research facilities, including buildings and infrastructure that support staff, students, veterinary work, animal care, and long-term field research.

His work also extends into the local community. Herber built Puerto Lucerna’s new secondary-school facility, a three-classroom school developed with support from Hoja Nueva so that local students can continue their education closer to home.

He is currently leading construction of Hoja Nueva’s new purpose-built dog and cat rescue center in Puerto Maldonado, expanding the organization’s capacity for domestic-animal rescue and One Health work.

Many of Hoja Nueva’s programs exist today because Herber has quite literally built the spaces in which they happen.