BEX News

History

Meet the Recipients

Couriers Needed

Equipment Drive

Apply Now!

En Español

Supporters

Home

BIRDERS' EXCHANGE RECIPIENTS

Report from Conservación de Aves en la Península de Yucatán (CAPY), Mexico

by Barbara MacKinnon, Coordinator

Photo: CAPY workshop participants from Chunyaxché, the Maya community located south of Tulum, Q. roo. By Barbara MacKinnon.

Dear Betty,

Birder's Exchange is one of our most valued partners in creating a bird culture here on the Yucatan Peninsula. Thank you so much for your continued support as we reach out to more and more inhabitants of communities located within important IBAs on the peninsula.

Best regards,
Barbara MacKinnon
Coordinator, CAPY program
Amigos de Sian Ka'an A.C.

CAPY's mission is "to conserve the populations of birds of the Yucatan Peninsula." In seeking to achieve its goals, CAPY began a program of bird identification workshops in communities located within or bordering natural protected areas of the peninsula. The workshops are designed to develop a culture of conserving birds and their habitat using participants' existing knowledge, and to promote environmental education for the children in the communities that focus on birds.

The Birders' Exchange equipment have all been put to use-I have provided books and two binoculars in each of three communities, Chunyaxche and Punta Allen in the Sian Ka'an Reserve, and Xcalak, in the area of influence of the Banco Chinchorro Reserve. Abilities and interest of the locals have really peaked. In Chunyaxché, most workshop participants can identify 50 to 60 species by ear using English names! (Their third language!) In Punta Allen, a bird club is in process of being born. Xcalak just had its second workshop, but they are taking the training very seriously and making important management decisions regarding visitors to a waterbird nesting island. A group of young students have been identified to include in a second group during the next workshop in January. Overall, the progress is remarkable-the program participants have gone beyond my expectations and their desire to continue learning is very high. Your donations have been a real boost to the program.

recipients list

Birders' Exchange
Sharing Tools, Saving Birds
A Program Across the Americas