View the Monitoring & Evaluation archive.

September 2010

Organization(s): Fundación Conserva, Colombia

Project Name and Location: Chicamocha Project: The Conservation of Two Critically Endangered Dry Forest Birds, Niceforo’s Wren and the Chestnut-Bellied Hummingbird -- Colombia.

Goals

• Carry out a long-term project to conserve and recovery populations of the endangered Niceforo’s wren (Thryothorus nicefori) and chestnut-bellied hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris) through research, education, and conservation action in the dry forest of the Chicamocha canyon.

• Study the main biological aspects (ecological requirements, breeding ecology, evolution, and behavior) to understand and monitor population trends of both Niceforo’s wren and the chestnut-bellied hummingbird.

• Implement a conservation and management strategy for Niceforo’s wren and chestnut-bellied hummingbird populations through:
  • The establishment of community-based and private natural reserves.
  • The production of materials for conservation practitioners and policy and decision-makers.
  • Develop alliances for conservation among several governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in the sustainable development of the Chicamocha canyon.

• Help the local community gain a greater understanding of the ecological benefits of the Chicamocha dry forest and the urgency of its protection through workshops, media campaigns, and educational materials.

Methods for Monitoring and Evaluation

• Research is monitored by the number of publications produced. We have three papers published in scientific journals, four undergraduate thesis, and three reports. Also, results have been presented at seven international congresses.

  Conservation actions have been evaluated through tangible results such as:

  • 3,211 acres (1,300 hectares) of dry forest in the Chicamocha canyon are protected by the Chicamocha Wren Natural Reserve.
  • Improved lodging for 12 researchers, conservation staff, and visitors at the reserve which will allow students and researches to develop thesis and research projects.
  • The dry forest of the Chicamocha River was declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) for its unique bird fauna.
  • Fundacion Conserva was created to strengthen conservation work in the Chicamocha canyon.
  • Chicamocha Alliance was established and has started to participate in generating proposed conservation actions in the Chicamocha canyon.

  Success in educational activities is evaluated by the number of locals involved in conservation activities, and through the number of educational materials delivered:

  • Children from 16 schools demonstrated a good understanding about the ecological importance of the two species and their habitats.
  • 800 posters, 1,000 booklets, and 970 calendars were given out in the species’ main habitat areas.

© 2001 - Rainforest Alliance