Getting to know the local birds through observation and the Mapuche culture
The group Colectiva Ko-Habitantes (Ko-Habitants Collective) is run by college students in Panguilulli, Chile. They are part of the indigenous Mapuche people. The commune is located between two biosphere reserves: the Temperate Rain Forests of the Austral Andes Biosphere Reserve and the Araucaria Biosphere Reserve. The Collective aims to develop understanding, pride, and love for their territory and culture. They want to conserve and protect the biodiversity in the area and their culture. They do this by organizing and facilitating educational workshops in rural and public schools to revive ancestral practices within the context of scientific and technological knowledge. The Collective provides information, leads wildlife monitoring, teaches about birdwatching, supports cultural and research activities in the territory, and conducts garbage cleanups in natural areas. The group inspires and promotes positive change, not just for the environment but also for their community. With the support of a mini-grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for Latin-American and Caribbean organizations and groups, the group coordinated and facilitated a series of educational workshops and fun activities for local schools and their community.
First, participants in a demonstration received detailed instructions on using binoculars and identified the beautiful birds in their surroundings. Boys and girls enjoyed spending time outdoors at the Coz-coz wetlands, exploring their native birds and satisfying their curiosity. The children had the wonderful opportunity to observe bird behaviors and color patterns in detail. They learned how to use the binoculars quickly!
Later, 5th and 6th graders in the Llongahue Rural school and their teacher, Iris Gallardo Olave, participated in a series of workshops throughout the entire school year, which began with a video showcasing Chilean birds and their songs. Students then created a list with three categories of birds, “I recognize it,” “I have seen it,” and “I have heard it.” They were surprised to find out how much they already knew! Once the video finished, groups of two students participated in a demonstration about using binoculars. Each pair of students used one set of binoculars and one Southern Chile bird guide. Once these activities concluded, the groups shared their bird lists on eBird. During the bird walks around the area, the students realize the significance of sharing the space with birds. The activities generated a great sense of belonging for the students and improved their recognition of local birds. The students were full of excitement and curiosity during the event. Their scientific minds were active! The activity also promoted the Mapuche culture’s connection to nature, especially to birds.
The following week, the students went on a second birding trip towards the Pillinque lagoon. They discovered that Chile’s outdoors are full of life! The students quickly learned common bird names, and the group leaders were pleased to see students’ interest during each outing. Afterward, students attended a theoretical-practical workshop where they summarized their observations to analyze, generate questions, and debate the observed species. They concluded the activities with student expositions about their experience. They also invited representatives of the Department of the Environment in Panguipulli to learn about their work. The Collectiva Ko-Habitantes also presented its work in the region to the group, showing the great work they carry out in the territory.
The students of the Bocatoma Llongahue Rural School also participated in an outing to the peweñantu, an araucaria forest located in the Villarrica National Park. Araucarias are impressive trees that can reach up to 50 meters high and live more than 1500 years, being considered one of the oldest species in Latin America. However, for the Mapuche people, araucarias have a much deeper meaning: they are considered sacred and guardians of ancestral memory! These trees not only symbolize their connection to the earth but are also a fundamental part of their worldview and culture. During this activity, the children had the opportunity to enter a unique mountain ecosystem, where they discovered the richness of its biodiversity and were amazed by the majesty of the araucarias. More than just trees, they understood that they are home to countless species of birds, which find shelter, food and protection in their branches.
Like some birds, the Colectiva Ko-Habitantes migrated from one place to another! They conducted workshops in the Claudio Arrau León School in Panguipulli. A large portion of the school’s students are from rural areas. The collective implemented its educational and birdwatching workshops to bring students closer to outdoor experiences in a town with few natural areas. The alliance between the Collective and the school was made possible with the help of the language and communications teacher, Consuelo González Limpayante, and the pedagogical technical unit director, Priscila Mera Parra. Both were fundamental pillars in coordinating and hosting the activities. The 5th-8th grade students participated in some indoor activities, but most included guided tours of the Pangupulli Bay and its surrounding wetlands. They aimed to create literary material about nature. The Colectiva Ko-habitantes first introduced the theme of birds and nature to the kids outdoors. Then, children separated into groups to complete their observations without disturbing the inhabitants of the wetlands. Students observed birds and other wildlife, like insects and plants, during the outing. They put into practice the use of binoculars and pocket microscopes and explored the microscopic world of the wetlands. It was an incredible experience for all students who had the opportunity to appreciate nature, which can be difficult in urban areas. These activities had long-lasting impacts the students will carry with them and created many fun stories to tell.
The students of the Cayumapu Rural School made an exciting visit to Maiquillahue Island with the Colectiva Ko-Habitantes, where contemplated the immense and beautiful ocean! With enthusiasm, the students observed seabirds in their natural habitat and were amazed to discover Humboldt and Magellanic penguins, an experience that will remain engraved in their hearts forever!
The Colectiva Ko-Habitantes also facilitated a series of events, including wildlife monitoring open to the community. Teachers, informal educators, college students, and people with a love for nature all helped out during these activities. In one of the activities, they welcomed the beginning of spring, the Pukem, in Mapudungun (the Mapuche language), an important day for the Mapuche people because it brings the change of seasons and the rebirth of nature hibernating during the winter. It is a time in which the longest days begin to be left behind, new plants sprout, and, of course, migratory birds come to visit the region! During the wildlife monitoring workshops, they used eBird and iNaturalist with the participants. Some outings were on land and others on water, where participants learned different techniques for gathering information about the wild animals. They had a wonderful experience, full of learning and sharing, and enjoyed the sunshine and the marvelous wetlands of the Pullingke Lagoon.
The Colectiva Ko-Habitantes’ initiatives know no limits. With great dedication, they work to protect the huillín (Lontra provocax), an otter that inhabits rivers, lakes and wetlands in southern South America. For the Mapuche people, the huillín symbolizes life and fertility. However, hunting, the destruction of its habitat and introduced diseases have led to the danger of extinction, making sightings increasingly rare. Faced with this situation, the Colectiva Ko-Habitantes is taking action to conserve its habitat, promoting environmental education about the huillín, encouraging respect for the species, and using community participation to help preserve the biodiversity of the territory. We invite you to learn more about the huillín, its history and the ways in which you can protect it through the following beautiful and inspiring video that Colectiva Ko-Habitantes created (in Spanish):
The Colectiva Ko-Habitantes and its members thank the Cornell Lab of Ornithology mini-grant for buying binoculars to support their educational activities. They also thank the Comunidad Indigena Wue Raquiduam (the Indigenous Wue Raquiduam Community) for making these activities possible and the Comunidad de Llongahue (Llongahue Community) for providing its facilieties. They also thank the Llongahue Rural School, Cayumapu Rural School and the Claudio Arrau León School for allowing them to organize and facilitate workshops with their students. They give a big thank you to Iris Gallardo Olave and Consuelo González Limpayante for their help, which made it possible to create the best experience for their students. Finally, they thank the pedagogical technical unit director, Priscila Mera Parra, for her help with the activities in the Claudio Arrau León School.
Photos and video courtesy of the Colectiva Ko-Habitantes.
Webpage developed by Cassandra Nunez and Elisa España.