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Foster Parrots, Ltd.
Conservation

 

Conservation efforts come in many shapes and sizes. One size does not fit all and there are opportunities and circumstances that can be addressed by the largest of organizations and other situations where the close personal touch of a single individual can change the world. Although the large scale efforts of international conservation groups are to be applauded, the efforts of just one person can make a difference to another individual, a school full of children or an entire village, not to mention the environment and eco-systems around them. Small community groups work to save small areas, and as each parcel is saved they begin to add up to an effort much bigger than the sum of their parts.
Large non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, like Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy have the manpower and connections to work from the top down in efforts that involve the cooperation of governmental agencies. Working with local governments often results  in the setting aside of vast conservation zones and national parks, but sometimes overlooks the concerns of local populations. Smaller groups like the World Parrot Trust and Project Bird Watch work from the bottom up and focus their efforts on smaller projects that involve smaller areas and concentrate on one or two species in highly sensitive areas. The efforts of the small conservation groups also tend to involve local or indigenous groups and are highly dependent on a a strong educational component. They often rely on the concern and assistance of the local population to achieve their goals. The end result of these efforts is a much more personal connection that ultimately can influence the local and national governments as they witness the success and financial benefits to their communities.
However, true conservation does not involve only saving a single component of the land, the animals or the people, it is the convergence of these two above mentioned approaches that often result in the total coverage needed to successfully preserve not just land or endangered flora and fauna, but also the local people and their cultural heritage. This realization has been the cornerstone of the efforts of Foster Parrots in its desire to save parrots. After our first visits to Guyana (click here to read about Project Guyana) it was apparent that there was far more that needed to be preserved than just the parrots. We met an
indigenous people who have been successful guardians of a pristine ecosystem for thousands of years and whose very culture was in danger of quietly disappearing forever as the economic interests of the rest of the world crept closer to their undisturbed world. The trappings of modern society coupled with the need to earn the money to acquire these highly prized possessions are putting an unrelenting pressure on these people to either supply the rest of the world with timber, gold and wildlife or to pursue jobs in the factories of modern civilizations at their doorstep. The fundamental definition of an ecosystem is to have all its parts intact and in harmony. Preservation of an ecosystem can only be achieved by offering alternatives to disruption of that system that allow the symbiotic rhythm to continue undisturbed. A proven alternative to the current exploitation of a nation's natural resources is conservation through eco-tourism. The time to start making a difference is today; in the products we buy, the decisions we make and the groups we support. Let us act proactively and not rely upon the old adage that "hindsight is 20/20" to justify our inaction. Individual's concerned about the widespread destruction of the earth's rainforests can help by simply taking an eco-tour to any number of wonderful destinations offered by not for profit organizations where the monies are reinvested into the local economy and overall effort to save land, animals and local culture. Imagine saving the forest can be as easy and fun as taking a vacation!

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