Fifteen years ago, Mr. Consejo was appointed to the planning office of protected areas in the Federal Ministry of Environment, where he worked actively to create the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve in the State of Quintana Roo and became its former director. Since 1987 Mr. Consejo has worked independently for several federal and state government agencies and national and international non-governmental groups.

He has produced several surveys, books and papers on ecology and conservation, particularly on Indian and local inhabitants' participation, ecological politics, and planning and managing protected areas in Southeastern Mexico. He has also collaborated with national and local newspapers and magazines, radio and TV programs.

For the last 20 years he has lived in Oaxaca, where he has conducted conservation research and has worked for government and non-government organizations. He coordinated a survey for the Chimalapas region, a State Ecological Program and the master plan of the State Protected Areas System. He also created and was former executive officer of the Commission for the Ecological Defense of Oaxaca, a coalition of 60 government and non-government groups, research centers and community organizations.

Mr. Consejo, who currently lives in a small Indian community nearby Oaxaca City, is presently consultant to the IUCN National Parks and Protected Areas Commission, coordinates the Institute for Nature and Society of Oaxaca, which he founded. The Institute has launched projects on ware issues, soil conservation, community participation in land use planning, alternate technology and environmental education, among other issues.