“To Save a Forest, Look to the Women”: Women for Conservation featured in Yes! Magazine
“Women often suffer the most from environmental degradation. A nonprofit in Colombia is trying to make their needs central to conservation.” – Yes! Magazine
Projects
Population Matters’ Guest Report from Colombia: Conservation Through Education and Family Planning
Population Matters’ Catriona Spaven-Donn reflects on how WFC is empowering women to protect endangered species as well as become decision and change-makers in their own lives.
Protecting Choco’s Biodiversity
Location: Choco, Colombia
Key Species: Golden-ringed tanager, Black-and-gold tanager
Habitat: Pluvial Rain Forest
Primary Threats: Climate change and deforestation of habitat as a result of mining, cattle ranching, poaching, and timber.
Conservation Actions: Educational workshops to raise awareness about local endangered wildlife; Basic English classes to facilitate communication with foreign tourists and the identification of bird species. Educational workshops on reforestation and restoration of habitat, the importance of the Chocó region and basic geography. The development of alternative income sources by facilitating Ecotourism training and forest guard training.
Saving the Spectacular Biodiversity of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Location : Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia
Key Species : Santa Marta Parakeet (EN), Santa Marta Toro (CR), San Lorenzo Harlequin frog (EN), Santa Marta Sabrewing (EN)
Habitat :Montane Cloud Forest
Primary Threats :Climate Change and deforestation
Conservation Actions:Educational workshops to raise awareness about local endangered wildlife; reforestation and restoration of habitat using tree nurseries; development of alternative income sources including production of natural candles, soaps, and jewelry; provision of information and access to family planning
Empowering Women to Save the Blue-billed Curassow
Location: Magdalena Valley – Colombia
Key Species:Blue-billed Curassow (CR), Magdalena Spider Monkey (CR), Magdalena Lowland Tapir (VU), Spectacled Bear (VU), Jaguar (NT).
Habitat:Rain forest
Primary Threats:Habitat loss
Conservation Actions:Participatory agreements to prevent hunting; introduction of fuel-efficient cook stoves; training in sustainable production of jewelry from Tagua seeds; provision of access to voluntary family planning and health clinics
Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods Through Artistry in Northcentral Colombia
Location: Serranía de las Quinchas, northcentral Colombia
Key Species: Blue-billed Curassow (CR), Magdalena Spider Monkey (CR), Magdalena Lowland Tapir (VU), Spectacled Bear (VU), Jaguar (NT)
Habitat: cloud forest and tropical rainforest
Primary Threats: habitat loss, timber extraction, hunting
Conservation Actions: workshops training women in sustainable production of jewelry and artisan crafts
Renovating EcoCenter Revitalizes Community Learning and Conservation in the Chocó
Location: Ñambí River basin, near Junín, central Colombia
Key Species: Long-wattled Umbrellabird (VU), Banded Ground-cuckoo (EN), Baudo Guan (EN), Chocó Vireo (EN)
Habitat: Tropical rainforest and premontane rainforest
Primary Threats: Illegal hunting and logging, animal trafficking, gold mining, illegal drilling into pipelines causing oil spills
Conservation Actions: Community gathering space, ecology courses and professional classes, promotion of sustainable livelihoods