Parrot Bus Environmental Education Campaign,
Colombia
Region: |
Threatened
Parrot Conservation Corridor in the Central Andes of Colombia |
Partner: |
Fundación
ProAves |
Initiation: |
January 2004 |
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| Photo: Fundacion ProAves |
Introduction: Over
50 species of parrots present in Colombia are threatened by
loss and degradation of habitat (mostly deforestation due to
logging and agriculture), illegal capture for the pet trade,
and hunting. Some of these are among the most endangered birds
in the world, such as the Critically Endangered Yellow-eared
Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis) and Fuertes's Parrot
(Hapalopsittaca fuertesi), the Endangered Santa Marta
Parakeet (Pyrrhura viridicata), and Vulnerable species
such as the Rufous-fronted Parakeet (Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons),
Rusty-faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca amazonina), Golden
-plumed Parakeet (Leptosittaca branickii), Military
Macaw (Ara militaris), and Flame-winged Parakeet (Pyrrhura
calliptera).
To promote conservation and reduce human
depredation on these and other birds, the Parrot Bus program
was developed. The bus itself visits schools and communities
and presents students and others with educational programs
not only about parrots but also about conservation of other
species.
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| Photo: Fundacion ProAves |
The Bus program also encourages schools
to become a "Friend of the Birds" ("Amiga de
las Aves") school and helps to organize "Friends
of the Birds" clubs ("Grupo Amigo de las Aves").
In addition children, youth and adults have been encouraged
to participate in bird festivals such as Migratory Bird Festival
during the month of October.
Objective:
To bring environmental education and conservation awareness
to rural and urban communities across Colombia focusing on
Threatened Parrots as flagship species using the Parrot Bus
to visit schools and towns.
Actions:
1. Promote conservation with the Parrot Bus visiting schools
and local organizations.
2. Encourage children and youth to participate in bird festivals
such as the Migratory Bird Festival, Blue-billed Curassow
Festival, and Caribbean Bird Festival.
3. Facilitate creation of "Grupo Amigo de las Aves"
Bird Friends Groups and "Escuela Amiga de las Aves"
to introduce young people to nature through birding.
4. Promote alliances with other local environmental organizations
to enhance the outreach to schools and other ecological groups
in Colombia to help conservation and protection of threatened
species of birds and their habitat.
Accomplishments:
1. The project has reached 17,301 people since its beginning.
2. The Parrot Bus has visited 157 schools motivating children
and youth to become part of the environmental education group
“Escuelas Amigas de las Aves.”
3. The Parrot Bus facilitated the creation of 161 “Grupo
Amigo de las Aves” Bird Friends Groups and “Escuela
Amiga de las Aves.”
4. Parrot Bus has distributed 1,900 posters, 32,412 stickers,
15,425 booklets, and 10,942 bookmarks.
5. The Parrot Bus Outreach program has made five television
programs promoting the Parrot Bus at national level, written
six articles published in newspapers and magazines highlighting
the Parrot Bus; broadcast 12 local radio programs, and organized
six workshops for teacher members of the schools' Friend of
Birds (“Escuelas amigas de las aves”) clubs.
Other projects on
endangered parrots in Colombia:
• Conservation of the
Fuertes’s Parrot, Colombia
• Conservation of the Santa
Marta Parakeet at the El Dorado Bird Reserve, Colombia
For more information about this project
or other ABC projects in Colombia, contact
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Mission and Vision 
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