{"id":13611,"date":"2025-03-21T23:28:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T04:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/latam\/?p=13611"},"modified":"2025-04-23T11:35:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T16:35:14","slug":"casa-raizal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/latam\/en\/casa-raizal\/","title":{"rendered":"Casa Raizal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Deep in the Piedemonte Llanero region of Colombia, where the lush landscapes of Cumaral, Meta unfold, a group of children embarked on an extraordinary journey that took them beyond the everyday routines of their neighborhoods and into the enchanting world of birds. Guided by Casa Raizal<\/a><\/strong> facilitators, they set out to learn, explore, and connect with the winged inhabitants of their community. Casa Raizal<\/strong> is a socio-environmental collective aimed at creating spaces that foster the reconstruction and weaving of alternative ways of relating to life. Their work is organized around developing sustainable territories through agroecological and permacultural perspectives, environmental education, creating community spaces for cultural exchange, and commercializing local products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Casa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Flight into Nature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many years, Casa Raizal<\/strong> has been weaving environmental education into the fabric of the community. They see birds not just as creatures of beauty but as messengers of ecological balance, carrying with them lessons of conservation and coexistence. With this vision, they launched the workshop “Conociendo las Aves de Mi Barrio”<\/strong> (Getting to Know the Birds of My Neighborhood), a hands-on learning experience designed to open the eyes of young participants to the avian diversity around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The workshops took place in Barrio La Playa<\/strong>, along the banks of the Guacav\u00eda River, and Barrio El Prado<\/strong>, an urban area in the heart of Cumaral. Over several sessions, children between the ages of 8 and 16 learned to identify birds, understand their relationship with their habitats, and appreciate their role in the ecosystem.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Learning to See <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each session was structured to balance theory and practice, ensuring that students not only absorbed knowledge but also experienced it firsthand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Several<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They learned about bird morphology, studying how beak shapes influence diet and survival. Discussions on migration, endemism, and conservation deepened their understanding of avian life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Three<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Children practiced using binoculars and field guides to identify local species. The activities were incredibly exciting for them! Observations were logged in eBird<\/a>, one of the Lab\u2019s international participatory science platforms, allowing their findings to contribute to global bird population research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Participants<\/figure>
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One of the most exciting parts of the program was the opportunity to participate in the Global Big Day<\/strong>, an annual worldwide birdwatching event. Equipped with binoculars and guides, the young birders went out into the field to observe and document species in their local environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The children’s boundless enthusiasm united the community, fostering a shared sense of purpose. Local businesses\u2014R\u00fastica<\/a><\/strong>, Cerro Bendito<\/a><\/strong>, and Caf\u00e9 Cerrero<\/a><\/strong>\u2014generously provided snacks and support, while friends and family of the children opened their homes as learning spaces. This spirit of collaboration and collective commitment made the project possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Lasting Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By the end of the activities, the children were no longer just casual observers of the birds around them, they had become curious explorers, budding conservationists, and young participatory scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The success of “Conociendo las Aves de Mi Barrio<\/strong>” is a testament to the power of environmental education when rooted in hands-on experience and community collaboration. Casa Raizal<\/strong> continues cultivating these connections, ensuring that future generations in Cumaral grow up with a deeper respect for nature and diverse bird species, calling them “our allies in the sky<\/em>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Casa Raizal<\/strong> sincerely thanks everyone who made the ‘Conociendo las Aves de Mi Barrio’ activities possible. A special thanks to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the mini-grant that allowed for the purchase of binoculars. Thanks are also extended to the local businesses, R\u00fastica<\/strong>, Cerro Bendito<\/strong>, and Caf\u00e9 Cerrero<\/strong>, for generously providing refreshments. Recognition is given to the friends and families who offered spaces, transportation, and support for the activities. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Cumaral Biodiversa<\/a><\/strong> (Cumaral Biodiverse) and El Silencio, Resguardo de Vida Silvestre<\/a> <\/strong>(El Silencio, Wildlife Reserve) for their invaluable support throughout the process. The enthusiasm and commitment of the Cumaral community are deeply valued. And, of course, appreciation is directed to the children who participated with curiosity and joy, making this experience truly special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos courtesy of Casa Raizal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Webpage developed by Daniela Caisaguano<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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