Project Darién: One Man’s Mission

This week we sat down with Segundo Sugasti, a man whose name is synonymous with the Darién. As the head administrator of Darién National Park, and a deeply experienced jungle fixer, expedition planner, and IAJG Certified Jungle Guide, Segundo’s life’s work has bridged local knowledge, international exploration, and the fight to protect one of the world’s last truly wild frontiers. From humble beginnings in rural Panama to managing the vast, complex ecosystems of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Segundo represents a generation of leaders whose roots run deep in the forest—and whose vision stretches far beyond its canopy.

From Río to Rainforest: A Life Shaped by the Jungle

Born and raised in the Panamanian countryside, Segundo’s connection to the forest wasn’t taught in a classroom—it was lived. “My childhood was always in the campo,” he shares. “Nature was my companion. What connected me to the jungle was always the water—the rivers, the streams.”

At just 13 years old, Segundo experienced his first full night alone beside a river in the forest—a moment that changed him. “It was beautiful,” he remembers. “Everything was accessible. Shade. Storytelling. The sound of water. That’s when I knew the jungle was something sacred.”

From those early days in the rural interior to the remote and formidable reaches of the Darién, Segundo’s life has been a quiet but powerful testament to the forest’s ability to shape people—when they are willing to listen.

From Fixer to Leader: Building Expeditions and Managing a National Park

In the decades that followed, Segundo became a sought-after jungle expert. As a fixer and expedition planner, he gained a reputation for his ability to make the impossible happen—organizing complex jungle logistics, navigating terrain others feared, and earning the trust of scientists, filmmakers, and explorers from around the world.

Today, as Director of Darién National Park, Segundo oversees one of the most biologically and culturally significant protected areas on Earth. His responsibilities span far beyond visitor management. He coordinates high-level expeditions, oversees safety and logistics, manages internal teams, and works closely with both local communities and national authorities.

“It’s more than guiding,” he says. “It’s building the vision of how we manage and protect the park, while opening space for others to experience it—safely and respectfully.”

One of Segundo’s proudest moments came during a recent expedition when, after days of careful coordination, the group witnessed a harpy eagle in its nest with a chick. “That’s when you realize your work has impact,” he says. “You help people touch something wild and rare. That moment stays with them.”

Defender of Darién: Reclaiming the Narrative

Segundo is deeply aware of the reputation the Darién has gained over the years—a place misunderstood by many, and often reduced to headlines about conflict or migration.

“The jungle is not the enemy,” he says firmly. “It’s the opposite. Darién is safe. I’ve walked over 36,000 kilometers in the park. It’s my home. What makes it dangerous is not the forest—it’s ignorance. People don’t know what’s really here.”

His mission includes changing the narrative—both inside Panama and globally. Darién is not just a borderland or a challenge for overland travelers. It is a living library of biodiversity. A place where local communities still depend on forest resources. A refuge for endangered species. A carbon sink. A sanctuary.

Segundo believes that when people truly see the forest, their relationship with it changes. “We need more people to experience the park through the eyes of those who know it—not just outsiders, but community members who have lived here for generations.”

The True Nature of Leadership: Teams, Trust, and Time

According to Segundo, jungle leadership is not about ego—it’s about team building and trust.

“The jungle demands humility. If you think you can go in alone and succeed, you’re already in danger,” he says. “Everything starts with a solid team. You align them to the mission, and from there, you plan. Without unity and purpose, you’re lost.”

His approach to leading expeditions has always prioritized local talent and traditional knowledge. He builds his teams carefully—pairing the right personalities with the right roles—and makes sure that every person involved understands their responsibility not just to safety, but to the forest itself.

That same leadership style now shapes his role in managing the park. Whether coordinating security, planning reforestation, or working with Indigenous groups on co-management efforts, Segundo’s method is steady, inclusive, and deeply rooted in experience.

Facing Climate Change and Cultural Shifts

One of the biggest threats Segundo sees is not just ecological—it’s cultural.

“The climate is changing, yes. The rain doesn’t follow the same cycles. The forest is slower to regenerate. We see plants disappearing,” he says. “But the harder thing is watching young people lose their connection to the forest. They don’t go out to the rivers. They’re losing something very old and very valuable.”

Through birding workshops, youth camps, and community projects, Segundo is actively rebuilding those connections—especially in areas bordering the park where young people face difficult choices about their future.

“We have to create pride,” he explains. “Pride in being part of Darién. Pride in protecting something others don’t have. That’s how we keep the forest alive—not just the trees, but the culture that protects them.”

Hope Rooted in the Earth

Despite the challenges, Segundo’s vision is clear—and deeply hopeful. He sees tourism not as a threat, but as an opportunity. “Well-managed tourism, guided by locals, can bring pride, income, and education,” he says. “It can show the world who we are and what we protect.”

But for that to work, it must be built on trust. “Trust in the communities. Trust in the forest. And trust that Panama can lead—not just follow—in how we protect nature.”

He believes that international partnerships are vital, but that local leadership must remain at the center of all conservation efforts. “We are the lungs of the Earth,” he says. “But we’re also the heart. What happens here matters everywhere.”

A Message to Panama—and the World

Segundo closes with a call to action—not just for governments or tourists, but for all people. “Come. Visit. Learn. Listen. The jungle is ready to welcome you if you respect it. This forest has given me everything—my work, my life, my purpose. And now it’s my turn to protect it.” He adds, with quiet conviction: “We don’t need to be saved. We need to be seen. The forest, the people, the water—it’s all here. What we need is for the world to care.”

Participants on our upcoming Jungle Guide Certification Course will likely have the chance to meet Segundo Sugasti in person, deep in the heart of Darién National Park. As head of the park and a respected leader in the region, Segundo continues to inspire and guide both locals and international visitors alike. If you’re curious to learn more about his story or want to contribute to the future of jungle conservation and leadership in Darién, just ask — Segundo is warm, welcoming, and always willing to share. You can speak directly with him, with any certified guide of the International Association of Jungle Guides, or reach out to us here at Jungle Guides International. There’s a place for everyone in this mission — and it begins with a conversation.

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Expedition of two: Mikel and Silvana