Every year, many Wax Palms are used in religious celebrations without knowing that this practice is destroying the home of the Yellow-eared Parrot, an endangered bird species endemic to Colombia that depends on this palm. During this season, we make a call to reconcile with these species and prevent their extinction.
The Reconnect with Nature campaign is an environmental education strategy led by ProAves for over 25 years, carried out prior to Holy Week. Its goal is to raise awareness about the importance of conserving two iconic species that represent Colombia’s biodiversity: the Wax Palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense) and the Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis).
This year, the campaign was implemented in Jardín, Antioquia; and Cajamarca and Roncesvalles, Tolima, where various activities were carried out with local communities on Palm Sunday to raise awareness among residents of these towns — known for hosting the largest populations of the Yellow-eared Parrot — about the importance of protecting this emblematic species.
The town of Jardín, located in the department of Antioquia, welcomed us with open arms, allowing children to learn about environmental conservation through playful activities focused on preserving this species. Additionally, adults received messages about the importance of conserving this threatened parrot, which was once on the brink of extinction.
During the event, Wax Palm seedlings were distributed to people who had suitable areas on their land to plant these species, contributing to the recovery of the palm and the improvement of the Yellow-eared Parrot’s habitat in the future.
In the towns of Cajamarca and Roncesvalles, in the department of Tolima, community engagement and awareness-raising efforts also took center stage. Through printed materials such as posters and stickers, we shared the message of reconciliation with nature and promoted environmental responsibility to protect the Yellow-eared Parrot and the Wax Palm.
The Reconnect with Nature campaign is a call to protect and respect wildlife. At ProAves, we recognize environmental education as a key action to instill awareness in children, youth, and adults, helping us move forward in protecting emblematic species of our biodiversity, such as the Yellow-eared Parrot and the Wax Palm.
With the support of:
