The world is their horizon.

The children of Leticia, in Colombia’s Amazon region, used binoculars to connect with the majestic nature that surrounds them. With the support of Hipilandia leaders, the children discovered a world made not only of magnificent trees, grasses, rivers, and wetlands, but also of colorful and fascinating birds.

Hipilandia is a travel company that promotes sustainable tourism in the Colombian Amazon, celebrating and preserving the region’s cultural traditions and rich biodiversity. The organization seeks to foster respectful connections between visitors and local communities, with deep consideration for the natural world and the ancestral knowledge of the region’s indigenous peoples.

Three kids are looking beyond. One kid is wearing binoculars around his neck, and the kid on his left is using the binoculars to observe the environment.

Thanks to a mini-grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and in collaboration with the Grupo de Observadores de Aves del Amazonas (GOA–Amazon Bird Observers Group), Hipilandia carried out a series of educational workshops that helped children learn more about local bird species and their natural habitats.

Multiple students are sitting around a table listening to the workshop taught in a classroom setting.
A child is excitedly holding a camera and looking through the lens as an adult is helping him.
Two children are sitting at a desk filled with colored pencils and drawings. They are coloring and drawing.

The first workshop, “Anatomical Exploration,” was a fun and engaging activity that immersed the children in the world of birds. With guidance from Hipilandia and GOA leaders, they explored bird anatomy and learned how unique traits help birds survive in the lush Amazon rainforest. In small groups, the children observed bird behavior with great curiosity, discussing how specific adaptations influence how birds interact with their environment.

Four children and two adults are smiling at the camera and posing. They are surrounded by greenery and a body of water.
There is a book filled with illustrations of birds and their natural habitats. At the table, colored pencils are scattered, which are used by the children to draw and color.
The children use a book filled with bird illustrations and their natural habitats as reference for their drawings. They are holding colored pencils and notebooks filled with their drawings.
Two adults are posing at the camera and smiling. A child is holding binoculars and looking into the distance. Five other children are smiling and posing.

During the second workshop, the children took on a different challenge. They played interactive matching games that paired bird illustrations with their key characteristics. This hands-on activity helped them become familiar with different bird families and improved their observational skills.

An adult is teaching a child how to use and hold a camera. The child is looking at the camera. Another child is patiently waiting for their turn.
An adult is teaching a child how to use and hold a camera. The child is looking at the camera. Another child is patiently waiting for their turn.
An adult is teaching a student how to use and observe through binoculars. Another adult is teaching another student how to hold and capture pictures with a camera.
Two children are holding green colored pencils as they fill in their bird drawings. They are using a paper with pictures of birds as their reference.
A child is holding and using a blue colored pencil as he fills in his bird drawing.
There is a drawing of a blue bird building its nest. There is a book of colorful bird illustrations placed on the floor. There are colored pencils scattered around the book.

In the third workshop, the children had the opportunity to use binoculars and local bird field guides to prepare for a new adventure. Equipped with these tools and accompanied by Hipilandia and GOA leaders, they explored Fantasy Island—a small island located between the Amazon River and the city of Leticia. As they wandered beneath the forest canopy, listening to the sounds of the jungle, they paused to draw and take notes about the birds they encountered, using the guides to identify each species. When they returned, they shared their observations with excitement, reflecting on the birds they had seen and their important roles in the ecosystem.

One of the most exciting moments came during their visit to the IANE Wetlands Camp, deep in the heart of the Amazon. With binoculars around their necks and cameras in hand, the children set off on a new birdwatching adventure guided by GOA experts. They captured photos of birds in their natural habitat and proudly shared their discoveries with one another and the local community.

This enthusiasm continued during a visit to the Acapú Nature Reserve, where children of different ages—including students from Escuela Normal Superior Marceliano Eduardo Canyes Santacana and from Fantasy Island—were guided by GOA experts in identifying species and exploring the forest ecosystem. With each new sighting, their sense of wonder and excitement grew as they discovered the vibrant world of Amazonian birds.

These experiences not only taught the children about the birds in their community but also sparked a deep and lasting passion to protect the birds and the lush environment in which they live. The facilitators themselves were also inspired to continue this educational journey in Leticia and the wider community.

Children are proudly holding pictures of birds and smiling at the camera. Their teachers and adults are behind them, also smiling at the camera.
Four children and an adult are posing and smiling at the camera. The children are proudly holding certificates and pictures of birds.
Surrounded by trees, an adult is teaching multiple children about the environment that surrounds them.
Holding a picture of a bird, an adult is explaining and teaching the children. The children are listening as they stand surrounded by trees and a body of water.
Children are sitting around in a circle as they listen to facilitators explain.

Hipilandia extends heartfelt thanks to the Grupo de Observadores de Aves del Amazonas (GOA) for their collaboration and commitment to making these activities a success. Deep appreciation also goes to the children, whose joy and enthusiasm planted seeds of love for nature and Amazonian birds within their hearts and their community.

This initiative also reflects a growing effort to build meaningful regional connections across education, science, and culture, strengthening networks among local communities, educators, and international institutions like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to promote long-term environmental stewardship in the Amazon.

Photos courtesy of Hipilandia

Page developed by Diana Palma-Vazquez