Autor: Admin Paul

Women for Conservation products were exhibited at the fair which lasted 5 days. Being the largest in the UK, it brings about 73,000 British and international traders.

Spring Fair is an event that hosts the largest collection of products designed in Britain and around the world, where one can observe household items, flowers, toys, stationery, jewelry and fashion. Each year, this fair has approximately 300,000 new products.

During the event, and through Amparo Crafts, product marketing entity of the Women for Conservation, several appointments were scheduled with four international traders interested in becoming a branch for the products, including Universal Studios in Florida (USA) who were attracted by the project.

[slickr-flickr search=”sets” set=”72157629431456896″ items=”20″ type=”gallery”]

Due to the work of Women for Conservation over the years, many work centers for the care of the environment such as zoos and Botanical Gardens, visited the stand and showed interest in the products; for this, the program has developed a simplified product line which will be well received in these centers.

Thanks to the above, the women who are members of the project are enjoying increased production to meet the demand for products in the domestic and international market which has a positive impact on the economy of the communities where they live.

With the support of:

For eight consecutive years ProAves has developed this festival in order to work for the sustainable use of natural resources and protection of critically endangered species, like the Blue-billed Curassow, with special emphasis on birds and their habitats. Likewise, it seeks to increase community interest in conservation programs undertaken by the Foundation and raise awareness of the situation facing the Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti) and other endangered species of the region.

The central theme of the VIII Blue-billed Curassow Festival focused on ecosystems, because most of the economic activities taking place in the town of Puerto Pinzón require some use of natural resources and undoubtedly leave a mark on the ecosystems in the municipality.

A total of 42 activities were developed, including ecological workshops, the making of masks and flags for the closing parade, development of a mural and mass activities with the participation of 2 Rural Schools, Quince Letras y Dos Quebradas, the Puerto Pinzón school and the wider community of the town.

Environmental education activities developed in the Reserve sought to link with the community directly in the conservation efforts of the Blue-billed Curassow conducted by ProAves was developed and a visit by students and some parents of the school Puerto Pinzón with the aim of learning about this species and other flora and fauna present there.

[slickr-flickr search=”sets” set=”72157629214007204″ items=”20″ type=”gallery”]

34 people also participated in touring the road to the reserve, there was a related introduction to the El Paujil Bird Reserve and then ??a one-hour drive was made along the paths. They were given Field Guides of the Birds of Colombia in Spanish version and festival T-shirts.

Afterwards, we summoned the whole community to the formal ceremony involving students and teachers of Puerto Pinzón School, there were cultural events like songs, poems, coplas, an ecological costume contest and presentations of organic material produced by students like billboards.

Finally, with the participation of at least 400 people including children, youths, teachers, parents and the community at large from the district of Puerto Pinzón, the parade was made ??to close the VIII 2012 Blue-billed Curassow Festival through the main streets of the town to carry an educational message of conservation to the community.

ProAves wishes to thank the entire community of the town of Puerto Pinzón for their presence, commitment and full support for the activities in this festival, especially the educational community, the director of the institution, each of the teachers who with open arms welcomed us and allowed this festival to be possible, to students for their cooperation and participation in activities that were developed because they were the main motivation for this event.

With support from:

The reserve, established with the generous support of American Bird Conservancy, World Land Trust U.S. and World Land Trust U.K., covers an area of 7, 076 acres and is considered one of the Choco’s most important protected habitat corridors.

The reserve is an ideal destination for bird lovers, protecting the habitat of two key species of endemic and endangered birds: the Gold-ringed Tanager (Bangsia aureocincta) (EN) and The Black-and-Gold Tanager (Bangsia melanochlamys)(VU).

In addition, the reserve forests constitute the source of several importance streams for communities located in the lower part of the vereda Guaduas, as they are also tributaries of the Guaduas River, one of the main river basins of the municipality of Carmen de Atrato.

[slickr-flickr search=”sets” set=”72157629358829392″ items=”20″ type=”gallery”]

Participants at the event included: Executive Director of ProAves, Dr. Lina Eugenia Daza; ProAves Director of Conservation, Luis Felipe Barrera, Mayor of the Municipality of Carmen de Atrato, Engineer Alexander Agudelo Echavarria accompanied by the First Lady of the municipality, a member of the board of directors of ProAves, officials from CODECHOCO, the National Police, councilors of the municipality of Carmen de Atrato, local government officials and Carmen community representatives.

Symbolically, the Mayor of the Municipality of Carmen de Atrato and the Executive Director of ProAves, cut the ribbon to the reserve welcoming the guests. The event featured some words from the Mayor, the Executive Director and Conservation Director who explained to guests the conservation objectives of ProAves, its programs and projects to be developed in the reserve, and also presented the reserve staff officially.

During the event an interagency agreement was signed between the town council of Carmen de Atrato and ProAves to produce 15,000 seedlings of native plant species, the agreement is aimed to reforest pasturelands, create living fences and enrich pastures for the next two years with support from the local community in the municipality.

The launch event was an opportunity to share conservation goals for the town and to socialize the reserve staff with the community; a total of 35 people attended the event that made ??a commitment to the conservation of forests in the municipality and the species that inhabit them.

Also, activities included a bird-watching hike where the participants were able to observe the biodiversity of the reserve and had the opportunity to see the Black-and-gold Tanager (Bangsia melanochlamys) (VU) which posed very close to the observers.

Finally, it is important to note that the people who took part in the event are allies in the conservation objectives of ProAves and actively participate in the processes developed in the reserve for the benefit of wildlife species that live there.

Supported by:

Formación académica:  

Profesional, Técnico y/o Estudiante de últimos semestres en pedagogía o Ciencias Naturales (biología, ecología, ingeniería ambiental, Ingeniería forestal y otras afines). 

Competencias personales:  

Vocación, respeto e interés por la conservación de los recursos naturales y con experiencia en trabajo con comunidades; facilidad para desarrollar actividades en equipo, organización y liderazgo.

• Una bacante es solicitada en La Reserva Natural de las Aves Las Tangaras ubicada en el municipio del Carmen de Atrato (Chocó).

• La segunda bacante se solicita para desarrollar las actividades en la Reserva Natural de las Aves Colibrí del sol ubicada en el municipio de Urrao (Antioquia).

Los o las interesadas por favor enviar sus hojas de vida y carta de intensión al siguiente correo electrónico: ldaza@proaves.org

On a tour conducted around the towns of Jardín (Antioquia) and Roncesvalles (Tolima), the writer, accompanied by Ecuadorian nature photographer Paul Corral Vega and 3 ProAves biologists, describes the work done by ProAves since its founders rediscovered the parrot after it was believed extinct. The article also talks about the beginnings of the Yellow-eared Parrot Project supported by the Spanish foundation Loro Parque, and the first-ever research on the behavior of the species by ProAves.

Audubon Magazine cover article.

In 2001 the Reconcile with Nature Campaign was created to prevent the use of the Quindío Wax Palm in the religious celebration of Palm Sunday. The article also describes how this strong tradition nearly led to the extinction of the Yellow-eared Parrot and its favored Wax Palm, and how the tireless efforts of the co-founders of ProAves persuaded the Catholic Church to halt the use of the wax palm so that today we can tell the wonderful story of the recovery of one of the most charismatic species in Colombia.

Download the full article in pdf: Birds Parrot Sunday

?To view the online journal can enter the following link: Audubon Magazine March/April 2012

Ideally the person will have a minimum of 2 year’s experience working in the tourism industry, preferably in field operations and logistics.  Guide experience as either a naturalist or bird guide is highly desirable.

The person should have the following skills:

• Attention to detail
• Excellent customer service skills
• Fluency in English with a high level of Spanish speaking and writing abilities
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment  and in groups and with people from different backgrounds and experiences
• Flexibility
• Positive attitude
• Computer literacy (excel, word, etc.)

Qualifications:

• University degree in tourism or biological field
• Minimum 2 years experience working in tourism
• Fluency in English with a high level of Spanish speaking and writing abilities

Duties:

• Daily customer service (office visits, telephone,  e-mail inquiries)
• Reservations and entering of planned tours in calendar/reservations system.
• Providing a service voucher for each tour to specify all the services offered to the client.
• Payments receivable
• Monthly reports
• Post tour evaluations
• Creation of potential new tour routes, destinations and tourism activities
• Assigning guides
• Last minute changes and adaptions to tours/client requests

 Interested persons please send a cover letter and resume (CV) with two contact references to convocatoria@ecoturs.org

Year after year the campaign has been strengthened by support from many partners. This year the campaign is again led by ProAves with strong support coming from the District Department of Environment, Episcopal, Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches, the National Police through the Directorate of Rural Security, Jardineros Ltda., Animalist Policy Caucus, the Plataforma ALTO, the Parroquia Niño Jesús – 20 de julio, and the Mayors of the towns of Génova, Quindío, Jardín, Antioquia and Roncesvalles, Department of Tolima.

From the 25th of March to the 2nd of April the 11th annual campaign Reconcile with Nature, will be held at the national level. This national campaign aims to raise awareness and engage the Colombian community as a whole to contribute and participate in activities to preserve our natural resources. We urge the Colombian community during this Holy Week to not use the branches or any part of the wax palm and instead to use live plants or sweet corn husks.

Training Session and Launch

On March 25th, the Sunday before Palm Sunday, there will be a religious celebration at the open-air temple of Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park at 11 am, in Bogotá, with Monsignor Carlos Julio Ramirez Lopez presiding. This celebration is an urgent call to the Catholic community to understand the imperative and necessity of preserving our natural resources, and especially the Quindio wax palm, a palm listed as Critically Endangered and the only habitat of the Endangered Yellow-eared parrot.

The training session event will take place on March 27th at 7 am in the Auditorium of San Francisco de Sales located on the premises of the Salesian School. Juan Del Rizzo, of the district of 20 de Julio in Bogotá will lead the performance of the Symphony Orchestra of the same school.

A small official ceremony will begin the campaign and will train about 1400 people in the making of branches using the guidance of 30 artists invited by the Niño Jesús of the 20 de Julio district school and trained by the District Department of Environment to train people in a new way to celebrate Palm Sunday without wax palms. This training will provide a productive alternative to sector traders in the use of other materials and Jardineros Ltda. will donate 300 Areca Palms for the two activities, all in order to mitigate the impact of religious celebrations on the environment.

Endangered Species

The Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis) is an Andean parrot about 42 cm long as an adult. It has gregarious habits, makes long-distance flights and is completely dependent on the Quindío wax palm, on which it feeds, roosts and nests. Today it is the most endangered species of parrot in Colombia, due mainly to habitat destruction, hunting pressure and because of its restricted distribution, which makes it even more vulnerable to the threats. Through the success of the campaign and education the parrot is now categorized as Endangered (EN) after the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) downgraded its threat category from Critically Endangered (CR) in 2010.

The Quindio wax palm (Ceroxylum quindiuense) is currently critically endangered and is cut to adorn churches and to be carried during Palm Sunday processions. Unfortunately, the palm takes many decades to mature and is critical for the survival of the Yellow-eared Parrot.

Results of the campaign and direct conservation activities

During the last 10 campaigns, alliances have been established with the Catholic Church and various environmental organizations at the local and national level. Efforts have tended to concentrate on enhancing advocacy in different regions of the country. Much success has resulted due to these efforts, and this is reflected in the increasing protection and conservation of the two endangered species that are the centerpieces of this campaign.

These results have been generated by significant conservation and education efforts carried out directly by Fundación ProAvesin Tolima, Antioquia and Quindío, and the main towns where the yellow-eared parrot and Quindio wax palm can be found. These efforts have undeniably contributed to the increase in numbers of this species, from 80 individuals in 1998 to over 1000 today. These efforts have resulted in the downgrading in the threat category for the Parrot which was achieved in 2010. Moreover, in Roncesvalles, Tolima, the Festival of the Yellow-eared Parrot and Wax Palm have been institutionalized as a celebration of the local culture in the town of Jardín, Antioquia. The Yellow-eared parrot is now even included within the municipal coat of arms.

The efforts of ProAves include several conservation and reforestation programs along with the placement of artificial nests, conservation easements and environmental education campaigns throughout the country.

Among other significant contributions to the conservation of the Quindio wax palm is that of the District Department of Environment which, with their skills, have made a progressive replacement of the traditional bouquet of wax palm leaves with sweet corn husks provided by the company Jardineros Ltda. Year after year they have donated more than 5000 seedlings of alternative species such as Areca palm for use during Palm Sunday celebrations.

Brief history of the campaign

Since 1998, the campaign has been strongly supported by Loro Parque Foundation, after the rediscovery of the species by Alonso Quevedo, the now general manager of ProAves. Noting the intensive use of this wax palm in the celebrations of Palm Sunday in the Town of Jardín, department of Antioquia, the Reconcile with Nature campaign was founded in 2001 by Conservation International and later the Episcopal Conference and the Ministry of Environment with conservation efforts being undertaken by ProAves.

Since then, the Reconcile with Nature campaign has been carried out continuously at the local and national level for 11 years.

Supporting organizations:

The Colombian NGO ProAves and its tourism subsidiary EcoTurs Colombia run a recently renovated historic 14-room eco-hotel in the village of Minca, on the slope of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The hotel is just 35 minutes from Caribbean beach resorts and lies within the coffee belt, en route to the famous El Dorado Bird Reserve.

We are looking for an individual or couple that are efficient, honest and hard-working to manage the hotel including bookings, accounts, hotel staff, bar/restaurant, and marketing. Experience of managing people and ability to communicate effectively both in Spanish and English is essential. An interest in conservation and the environment is desirable, in order to help promote the hotel and the town as an eco-tourism destination, both to foreigners including birdwatchers and the national market. See: www.hotelminca.com   

Send resume and cover letter to: info@ecoturs.org

Located in Colombia, the rainforest contains one of the highest concentrations of endemic biodiversity in the world, with many birds, plants and amphibians at risk of extinction.

In 2010, an international team of tropical biology experts and students from the Universidad Tecnológica del Choco (Quibdó), Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) and ProAves visited a previously unstudied region of the northern Chocó rainforest now called “Las Tangaras” that includes both lowland rainforest to highland cloud forest.

Many of the amphibians uncovered during the expedition are likely to be new species – previously unknown to science. Various spectacular multicolored frogs were found and are believed to reside nowhere else on Earth.

Additionally, the area is home to several rare and threatened bird species, including the Endangered Chocó Vireo and Gold-ringed Tanager, as well as other threatened species such as the Spectacled Bear and Jaguar.  This location became the target area for creating a new reserve. A total of sixteen private colonist properties in the area were immediately acquired to create the 7,076 acre Tanagers Reserve. The reserve is located close to several Embera indigenous communities and aims to create a buffer against a new increasing wave of colonists eager to exploit the areas rich natural resources.

Las Tangaras Nature Bird Reserve.

The Las Tangaras Nature Reserve is one of the most diverse and important tropical forest sites on earth, and will protect a great elevational gradient – from 2,000 to 12,900 feet above sea level. This area protects the watershed of the Rio Atrato – the Chocó’s most important river which serves as a vital economic resource for tens of thousands of inhabitants living in poor rural communities. This strategic land acquisition helps consolidate a buffer zone protecting over one hundred thousand acres, against unsustainable rapid colonization, and strengthens the protection of several isolated indigenous communities threatened by colonization.

“We are strategically acquiring and protecting a critical area of privately held rainforest to create a buffer zone against colonization and strengthen the protection of adjacent indigenous communities that are besieged by gold-miners and ranchers”, stated Dr. Paul Salaman of World Land Trust, a champion of conservation action in the megadiverse Choco Hotspot.

“We are thrilled that such a vital piece of habitat will be protected in the future,” said Dr. George Fenwick, President of ABC. “This new reserve will likely also safeguard many undiscovered biodiversity gems”.

The Las Tangaras Nature Reserve, owned and operated by ProAves, is expected to be a major attraction to visiting birdwatchers and nature tourists. The area boasts remarkable opportunities for birding (over 250 species documented at the reserve so far) in a country that is home to more avian species than any other on the planet. A spacious, eight-bedroom lodge, a house for staff, and a restaurant featuring a balcony overlooking the Atrato river were just constructed. Other important species found in the reserve include the endangered Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer and Yellow-eared Parrot, and the vulnerable Black-and-Gold Tanager and Toucan Barbet.

“Visitors will be astounded how easy it is to see an incredible diversity of rare and little known biodiversity, including a dozen endemic bird species. We hope people will come from all over to visit and appreciate what the Colombian Chocó has to offer, be they from nearby Medellin or from Miami, or London”, commented Lina Daza, Executive Director of ProAves.

Visitor information:

Located four hours by highway from the city of Medellin, the Las Tangaras reserve lies at the gateway from the Andean highlands into the Choco lowlands and offers spectacular scenery, lush forests and some of Colombia’s rarest wildlife attractions, all conveniently located around the spacious Mary Giles lodge in a meandering loop of the Rio Atrato. For more information and bookings, please contact Juan Caicedo info@ecoturs.org at EcoTurs Colombia www.EcoTurs.org.

There are six projects within the nature category, if the Giles-Fuertesi Reserve receives the most votes a total of €8.423 will be donated to ProAves and be used for reforestation, capacity building, equipment and infrastructure projects within the reserve.

Enter here to vote and help conserve biodiversity in Colombia!

http://www.outdoorconservation.eu

Deadline to vote is April 1st.

The property is called “la M”, and is situated between the towns of Carmen de Atrato (Chocó Department) and Urrao (Antioquia Department).

The La M property has an approximate area of 53 hectares of Andean montane and cloud forests; these are forests of vital importance, since they are the habitat of the Negretti Wren (Henichorina Negretti) a Critically Endangered endemic species, and the Tangarino Sparrow (Oreothraupis Arremonops) a Vulnerable species according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The forests of this property also help in the regulation of water in the Chocó biogeographic region and the Colombian Pacific as both are important sources of the Atrato River.

[slickr-flickr search=”sets” set=”72157628514615717″ items=”20″ type=”gallery”]

We wish to sincerely thank Mr. Sergio Agudelo for his generosity and interest in supporting conservation in the municipality of Carmen de Atrato. Mr. Agudelo’s work began some decades ago when he decided to conserve this part of his property, later he discovered the work of ProAves, and realized that our mission and objectives were closely associated with what he wanted for his property.

This donation is a great example of how the community and its initiatives can support conservation of our fauna and flora. The aim is to create a Nature Bird Reserve for the Negretti Wren and the Tangarino Sparrow, and to manage the activities necessary for a protected area.

BIOGRAPHY

Mr. Sergio de Jesus Agudelo Valderrama was born in the town of Carmen de Atrato (Chocó Department), is 79 years old and currently lives in the city of Medellín (Antioquia Department). Mr. Agudelo studied Social and Political Sciences and psychology at the University of Antioquia, and completed his PhD from the University Complutense of Madrid (Spain).

“Birding at Congress” is an exhibition open to the public. The exhibition is located at the new building for Congress, between the hours of 10am and 5pm.

The exhibition is part of the IV annual International Forum Against Animal Abuse, convened by Senator Camilo Sanchez and Animal Environment Protection Network (REPPA/AEPN) with support from the Franz Weber Foundation.

A specific forum will be held inside the Luis Guillermo Velez Auditorium on Thursday the 23rd of February from 9am to 4 pm. This year it will feature a special presentation by Anna Mulá, a professor at the University of Barcelona, ??considered the greatest Latina expert on animal rights. Also, Núria Querol, Director of the Observatory of Violence Towards Animals in Spain, who is considered to be the most important scientist in comparative research between animal abuse and interpersonal violence.

In this same time frame, on Thursday February 23rd at 3:00 pm, ProAves will present its experience in the implementation of environmental education strategies developed and implemented throughout Colombia for over 12 years.

Invitation to the Exhibition “Birding at Congress”.

If you wish to attend and learn more about ProAves, register by sending an email to ybautista@proaves.org with the following information: first and last name, phone number, ID number and the entity to which you belong.

[slickr-flickr search=”sets” set=”72157629317115909″ items=”20″ type=”gallery”]

The Black-backed Thornbill is an endangered and endemic species of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and its survival is by no means secure. Unrelenting habitat loss due to the conversion of forested areas to agricultural lands and cattle pastures have severely impacted this birds habitat and its ability to forage and reproduce successfully.

The El Dorado Bird Reserve protects 880 hectares (2,175 acres) of critical montane cloud forest for this spectacular species and many other endangered and critically endangered species which call the Santa Marta de Sierra Nevada home.

With support from many entities and individuals, the El Dorado Bird Reseve protects into perpetuity critical habitat for the Black-backed Thornbill and many other enigmatic creatures of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta found nowhere else on the planet.

To read El Dorado’s Reserve Administrator Sam Martinez’s account of this species please click here

Tour ProAves Reserves:

Contact EcoTurs headquarters at Carrera 20 No. 36 – 61, Bogotá, Colombia, telephone (57) (1) 287-6592, visit  EcoTurs at  www.ecoturs.org or write them at info@ecoturs.org

With the support of:

The main objective of the corridor is to restore habitat connectivity, ensure viable genetic exchange between populations and ecosystem conservation according to the characteristics of the land and its use. To date they have built living fences, windbreaks and shade for the coffee and cocoa crops. Pastures have been recovered whilst watershed protection and silvopastoral programs and agroforestry systems have been implemented.

[slickr-flickr search=”sets” set=”72157629219775019″ items=”20″ type=”gallery”]

The Cerulean Warbler Conservation Corridor is located in the municipality of San Vicente de Chucuri (Santander), and covers an area 10 km long by 1 wide uniting the Natural Bird Reserves of the Cerulean Warbler (209 ha), located on the highlands of Yariguíes Pauxi pauxi Bird Reserve (1800 ha), located on the Cerro de la Paz. This corridor has been a great strategy for conservation and protects the habitat for threatened endemic species, and also the forests that at this time of year host many migratory birds from North America.

Another achievement that has been obtained in the corridor has been the implementation of sustainable farming alternatives (training – support – management), based on the search for native seeds, care and maintenance in the phases of germination, growth and development of seedlings, planting and monitoring, all in order to raise community awareness for the protection of the communities environmental resources.

Also, due to the implementation of the Esperanza Verde (Green Hope) nurseries in the Cerulean Warbler Reserve and cocoa plantations, in the Pauxi pauxi Bird Reserve, 62,976 trees have been produced so far! Reforestation has taken place on 228 farms interested in protecting their environment, these properties are located in the villages of: Germania Center sectors, Siberia and Morelia, Barro Amarillo, Cantarranas I and II, Matecacao, La Trinidad and Buenavista, El Cerro, El Cerrito, Palmira and Palestina.

ProAves projects promote and ensure a better habitat for these protected areas, at the same replacing unsustainable forestry practices that threaten environmental health in the region with sustainable and environmentally sound practices.

Learn more

With support from:

For this first meeting, tools and silvopastoral techniques were explained which allow better use of areas designated as pasture, thereby preventing the expansion of new pastures that fragment vegetation and habitat.

The Ermitaño River and the El Paujil Bird Reserve.

The farmers in the region were identified as key players in the effort, however, the support of the Regional Environmental Corporation and private sector are expected to achieve the acquisition of approximately 4940 acres that make up this natural forest relic on the banks of the river Ermitaño. Not promoting strong conservation measures with different entities in the area could lead to isolation in the short-term of these two protected areas.

The workshop was attended by farmers from different farms that have direct influence on the buffer areas that connects the regional park Serranía de las Quinchas and the El Paujil Bird Reserve.

Facilitated and led by ProAves, the implementation of these new, more efficient farming techniques, and the acceptance from the farming community for the River Corridor Ermitaño project is a move in the right direction for more environmentally friendly farming techniques and the advancement of conservation efforts.

The meeting was held at Hotel Minca, located in the town of Minca, Santa Marta, Department of Magdalena, near the road that leads up to the Natural Bird Reserve El Dorado.

The meeting consisted of an overview of the most significant achievements of 2011 within the organizations areas of conservation, research, communication, environmental education and membership. The presentations continued with a thorough evaluation of strategic and operational plans for each of the areas. The Strategic Plan 2009 – 2013, has and continues to set objectives and priorities to be developed during 2012.

[slickr-flickr search=”sets” set=”72157629043644069″ items=”20″ type=”gallery”]

The ProAves team present at the meeting was made up by Lina Daza Rojas (Executive Director) and her assistant Monica Parada, Alonso Quevedo (Chairman), Director of Conservation and Protected Areas Luis Felipe Barrera, the protected areas Subdirector’s Ana Esperanza Contreras, Johanna Villa, Luis Gabriel Mosquera and Juan Carlos Rivas, the Subdirector of Research Alexander Monsalve, the Subdirector of Communications Ivon Alzate, the Legal Assistant Diego Ruiz and his assistant Yamile Hernandez, the Deputy Director of Restoration and Conservation Heidy Valle, the International Development Director Nathan Skinner, Environmental Education and Membership Yulied Bautista and Fernanda Martinez, administrative area Anzola Anyesul and on behalf of the accounting area Paloma Carrillo.

Also, we had the presence and valuable support of Mr. John Lázaro Toro and Mr. Robert Giles who are members of the Board of Directors.

Strategic Planning is carried out annually and is very important in that it has allowed us to direct our efforts to faithfully fulfill our vision and mission, taking into account the social and economic changes that Colombia faces.

“I thank all our contributors for their attendance at the annual Planning Meeting 2011 – 2012 for their valiant effort and all the creative ideas that were presented, we hope this year will be a year full of triumphs for the conservation of biodiversity and for birds of the world” Lina Daza Rojas, Executive Director.

With the support of:

In January of 2011, Dr. Lina Eugenia Daza Rojas was appointed Executive Director and under her leadership there have been a number of significant changes, many of which helped generate the achievements listed below.

• There is much to celebrate! Like the establishment of two new Natural Reserves. We are proud to announce an increase of 23% in the total areas protected by ProAves for a total of 28,075 hectares, 5,321 more for 2011.
• The publication of the Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia in Spanish which brings together the original artwork of the 1,889 species recorded in Colombia.
• The rediscovery of the Santa Marta Tree Rat after 113 years. This magnificent and enigmatic rodent was observed by two research volunteers in the Natural Bird Reserve of ProAves El Dorado.
• The first ever signing of Reciprocal Water Agreements for 8 properties (Environmental Service Payments). These agreements protect 2,650 hectares of forested wilderness and the once critically endangered Yellow-eared parrot’s foraging and breeding habitat.
• Cerulean Warbler Conservation Coffee is now on sale, and is certificated “Specialty Coffee” by Rainforest Alliance for the second year in row.

[slickr-flickr search=”sets” set=”72157629029731097″ items=”20″ type=”gallery”]

• During 2011, multiple environmental education activities were conducted, like the Fuertes’s Parrot Festival, the Migratory Bird Festival, the Blue-billed Curassow (el Paujil) Festival, the Festival of Threatened Parrots of Colombia and the tenth edition of “Reconcile with Nature Campaign”. These activities created fun and educational field trips and workshops involving about 18,000 children, as well as young adults throughout Colombia with the aim of educating and inspiring the Colombian youth about their countries amazing biodiversity.
• In December 2011, a revamped ProAves website www.proaves.org was launched with new and innovative designs making the website much more user friendly. Now users can easily find the latest conservation news in Colombia and enjoy greater interactivity with social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Youtube.
• For the fifth consecutive year ProAves and EcoTurs participated in the 2011 Bird Fair which was held in the UK. This is the biggest event in the world for birds and was an incredible opportunity to promote the great work being done by ProAves in conservation. The Women for Conservation Project was showcased along with the Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia as well as the various tour packages offered by EcoTurs for people passionate about birds and conservation in Colombia.
• During 2011, EcoTurs managed the tours of 629 Birders visiting ProAves Reserves. Two new eco-shops, with local sustainably produced products by Women for Conservation and conservation coffee were opened at Las Tangaras and Chestnut-capped Piha Bird Reserves.
• Two very important training events for our staff and the communities surrounding the reserves took place; the Fifth Training Course of protected areas in the El Pauji Reserve and the Ecological Guidance Course at the Reinita Cielo Azul Reserve. These two events brought together 15 forest guardians of ProAves and key issues were addressed for both personal growth and development for our employees and for the work being performed in the field.
• ProAves Executive Director Lina Eugenia Daza participated in the First South American Members Forum of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) held from the 13th to 15th of July in the city of Lima, Peru.
• Deputy Director of Restoration and Conservation Heidy Valle participated and presented at the meeting of the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) held from the 23rd to 26th of May 2011 in Washington DC. The goal was to present the progress of the campaign “For the pride of Roncesvalles – El Espinal and the Reciprocal Water Agreements”.
• With these achievements, new responsibilities and challenges are faced for 2012. After twelve years of tireless commitment to conservation, research and education ProAves will continue to stay committed to the conservation of birds and their habitats in the country of Colombia.

We sincerely thank all of our supporters and hope that our 2012 conservation achievements will be even greater than the ones from 2011! Thank You!