The Conserva Aves initiative participated in Colombia Birdfair 2026, a gathering that brought together experts, birdwatchers, and bird enthusiasts around knowledge, science, and conservation. With the support of BirdLife, Fondo Acción, and Asociación Calidris, the initiative joined this important event to showcase the work it advances alongside local communities to protect strategic habitats and strengthen conservation capacities across the country.
Fondo Acción
Together with nine local partners, the initiative shared living experiences from the territory through creative weaving and puppet workshops, birdwatching outings, and dialogues on traditional knowledge, biodiversity conservation, restoration, bird-based tourism, and community monitoring.
These spaces fostered a valuable exchange of learning among communities from different departments of the country, strengthening collaborative networks, recognizing local knowledge, and highlighting the leading role of communities in protecting birds and their habitats.
Experiences from our local partners
As part of this space, Fundación Ecosistemas Secos de Colombia, together with Asoguacharacas, shared their ecological restoration process in Piojó, Atlántico, where the planting of native fruit trees seeks to provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for more than 130 local bird species.
From Nariño, the Gran Tescual Indigenous Reserve presented its experience in monitoring and conservation through OECM areas, strengthening local capacities among children and adults in partnership with Conserva Aves, as part of their commitment to buen vivir and biodiversity protection.
Also from Nariño, the Asociación para el Desarrollo Campesino showcased progress on a biological corridor linking three nature reserves around La Cocha Lagoon, integrating environmental education trails and bird-based tourism initiatives for local communities. Meanwhile, Fundación Trópico highlighted the recovery of traditional flavors and knowledge through the use of local products such as bore and pringamosa, and shared natural cacao derivatives along with advances in community-based monitoring.
Other local partners, such as Agrosolidaria Charalá, strengthened strategic alliances and raised visibility for their community tourism processes, while the Corporación Ambiental y Forestal del Pacífico underscored its environmental education and conservation work in tropical dry forest ecosystems.
Birdwatching outings and creative spaces with children
The fair also opened a space for creativity and children’s participation, fostering their connection to bird conservation. The Asociación de Mujeres de la Bota Caucana led a puppet workshop inspired by local species, integrating art into the event’s cultural agenda and reinforcing the link between culture and biodiversity.
Additionally, as part of the fair, we organized birdwatching outings in the KBA Bosque de San Antonio y KM 18 and the KBA Enclave Seco del Río Dagua—key sites for biodiversity conservation. These visits provided an opportunity to identify local species and reflect on the importance of protecting cloud forest ecosystems.
The fair strengthened collaboration networks among our local partners, promoted participatory monitoring, elevated community-led initiatives, and showcased products rooted in the territory—demonstrating that conservation and bird protection are also built through knowledge exchange and collective action.
About Conserva Aves
Conserva Aves is a regional initiative led by American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society, BirdLife International, Birds Canada, and the Red de Fondos Ambientales de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (RedLAC).
In Colombia, it is implemented by Fondo Acción and Asociación Calidris, with the goal of strengthening climate resilience through the protection of ecosystems critical for birds.
The initiative is financially supported by the Global Affairs Canada, on behalf of the Government of Canada, and by the Bezos Earth Fund.
