Puppets Inspire Bird and Nature Conservation in Venezuela

Cuentos del Sombrero y del Viento (Stories of the Hat and the Wind) is a Venezuelan collective that promotes environmental education through tales brought to life by puppets. The members of the collective love turning memories and experiences into stories filled with messages of love for nature and its birds. Recently they received a mini-grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to develop a project called MÁS títeres, MÁS aves, MENOS contaminación (MORE Puppets, MORE Birds, LESS Pollution), aimed at a rural school in the Arimacoa area and the community of El Salado in Venezuela.

Omar Galbiati, the project leader, described the location as follows:

“We were greeted by palm trees, coconut palms, gigantic ceibas, and plantations of bananas and plantains. As we walked, we passed guava and mango trees, their scents making our mouths water. We also saw fields of cassava, watermelon, and melon, along with small-scale farmers working under the sun in their plots. The birdsong made everything feel even more magical.“

Although the beauty of the place was the first thing they noticed, what truly motivated them was the desire to protect the area after spotting litter and signs of deforestation due to cattle grazing. The local school welcomed them with open arms, as the project presented an opportunity for the children to learn in a practical and entertaining way.

Look, I’ll Tell You the Story

To capture the children’s attention, the collective began their activities with a puppet show titled Mira que te lo cuento [Look, I’ll Tell You the Story]. This tale highlights the challenges faced by shorebirds on Coche Island. The play was created in collaboration with AveZona, a Venezuelan organization dedicated to bird conservation, habitat protection, and participatory science.

The performance sparked great curiosity among the students, who began asking many questions about the puppets’ stories, shorebirds, and migratory birds. This led to an engaging discussion where the students showcased their knowledge about the area’s birds, though they were unaware of the dangers these birds face due to certain human activities that harm the environment.

Thus began an exciting journey of learning and knowledge-sharing, which almost all the students eagerly joined. Together, they agreed on a schedule for the coming days and sealed the commitment with the classic high-five and fist bump—a pact they consider unbreakable!

As a bird flies

To enhance the children’s learning, they participated in a fun brainstorming session about the bird species they often see in the area. Each student described the birds’ appearance and even mimicked their calls. The list grew so long they had to ask for a new marker!

Even the teachers were surprised by how actively the students participated. They noted that when children are involved in engaging activities like these, they show much more enthusiasm compared to traditional exercises that rely solely on memory and grades like “excellent,” “good,” “average,” or “poor.”

The level of participation was so high that the classroom turned into a lively “dawn chorus.” Amid laughter and chatter, cackles, whistles, and squawks echoed through the room. It felt like being in a jungle full of birds!

A Walk at the Foot of the Mountain

Finally, it was time to leave the classroom for an exciting birdwatching excursion. The students, accompanied by Yemimah Rivera, a passionate biologist, were given tools like binoculars and an illustrated bird guide to enrich their experience. The route was thoughtfully designed by a local teacher who knew every corner of the area from her childhood adventures.

With a sense of adventure, the group set off to explore. Every time they heard a sound, they paused and whispered, “It’s over there… it’s a…” Carefully passing the binoculars from hand to hand, each student marveled at what they saw. Guided by the bird chart, they identified the species and learned their scientific names. The excitement grew as they confidently shared their discoveries with Yemimah.

Everyone learned a lot during the excursion. Some teachers admitted that, despite being locals, they had never explored the area this way. Yemimah also acknowledged that it was a mutual learning experience, as the students demonstrated a deep knowledge of the birds and the nature surrounding them.

Caring for Nature and the Art of Transformation

Accompanied by their teachers, puppets, and organizers, the students headed to a towering, centuries-old ceiba tree in the area. Upon arrival, they were awestruck by the peacefulness of the place. Under the tree’s shade, they discussed the vital role birds play in maintaining nature’s balance.

In a moment of silence, everyone attentively listened to the diverse bird songs around them. However, looking around, they noticed something troubling: litter scattered across the ground. Inspired to clean up “the birds’ home,” the students sprang into action. Equipped with gloves, they began picking up trash, transforming their admiration for the birds into positive action for their environment.

Using the collected waste, the students got creative and made bird-shaped puppets. With scissors, glue, paint, and plenty of imagination, each child expressed their respect and admiration for the local birds. The resulting puppets were as diverse as the birds they had observed—colorful, varied in shapes, sizes, and designs.

Spreading Their Wings, Ready to Fly

To wrap up the activities, the students performed a puppet show they had created themselves. With dedication and enthusiasm, they rehearsed tirelessly, perfecting every movement and line. Families, teachers, and fellow students eagerly filled the seats to watch the performance.

As the first puppets appeared on stage, the audience couldn’t help but smile at the sixth graders’ dedication. With boundless energy, the students brought their vibrant characters to life, complete with dances, songs, and “flapping” movements that imitated the birds they had learned to admire. Every gesture reflected the children’s love and respect for nature.

Amid laughter and applause, the students celebrated the end of the school year and the beginning of a flight toward a more environmentally conscious future.

Acknowledgments

Cuentos del Sombrero y del Viento extends heartfelt thanks to the Arimacoa School, its director, teachers, and staff for opening their doors and their hearts. A special mention goes to all the participating students and the parents who supported them throughout the project.

Photos courtesy of Cuentos del Sombrero y del Viento.

Webpage developed by Elisa España Cordón.