Translated from the Spanish by the WHSRN Executive Office
Translated from the Spanish by the WHSRN Executive Office
In June, the Executive Office of Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) and Fundación Líderes de Ansenuza, a local partner in Laguna Mar Chiquita, Argentina, presented the ‘Shorebird Drawing Contest’ to use art to celebrate the diversity of shorebirds and environmental conservation at WHSRN sites in Argentina.
This initiative linked partners from different sites in Argentina through environmental education, youth, and community involvement. As the first activity, the contest was a pilot to promote exchange and teamwork, in addition to developing future environmental leaders to shorebirds and their habitats.
Several 2023 winning drawings. To see them all and meet the authors visit @fundacionlideresdeansenuza on Instagram.
The contest had the support and participation of several partners in Argentina including Fundación Estepa Viva, Asociación Ambiente Sur, Municipality of Adolfo Alsina, Universidad Nacional del Sur – Department of Biology and Pharmacy, Ministry of Environment of the Province of Buenos Aires, the Secondary School No. 17 of that province, Inalafquen Foundation, and National Parks Administration.
As part of the contest, a free workshop was organized for the general public by Manuel Sosa, an Argentine scientific illustrator. Forty people participated and learned different techniques to draw shorebirds in flocks, flying or standing, among other possibilities. In addition, the artist created a manual for anyone who wants to start drawing birds, especially shorebirds, which can be downloaded for free here.
Several 2023 winning drawings. To see them all and meet the authors visit @fundacionlideresdeansenuza on Instagram.
More than 90 pieces of artwork were received, with all sites in Argentina represented. These original works of art were evaluated by three jurors: Dr. Juliana Bosi de Almeida, Director of Flyways, Manomet; for Franco del Rio, Executive Director, Fundación Líderes de Ansenuza; and Franco “Vato” Cervato, international muralist. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and commitment.
The judges had the challenge of selecting the winners in several categories. In the Special Education category, the prize was a water bottle for field trips; in the Chicks category, the four winners received bird notebooks and colored pencils; in the Fledgling category, three youth received a set of Aves Argentinas playing cards; and the two Juvenile winners received a bottle of water for field trips. The Fledgling and Juvenile winners also received a book on protected areas, courtesy of the National Parks Administration of Argentina. Finally, the adult winner received a Guide to the Birds of Argentina by Tito Narosky and Darío Yzurieta and his checklist.
This activity, in addition to linking shorebirds with students, was key to promoting collaborative work among different partners of the Network. It is hoped that this will extend throughout Argentina and the Western Hemisphere. For Fundación Líderes de Ansenuza this was “a unique opportunity to see the commitment and shared work between partners, as well as the beauty of the drawings presented by youth committed to shorebirds.” Similarly, the partners of the Estepa Viva Foundation, expressed that the contest was “a great activity for children, youth and adults, and it represents what we want to reflect in our foundation.”
Art has once again proven to be an excellent tool for networking and learning, connecting organizations and conservation leaders to work together and connecting young people with shorebirds. During June, more than 90 young people between the ages of 6 and 25 connected with their favorite species of shorebirds, generating beautiful art pieces that are a testament to their talent and curiosity. Learning through appreciation and skill development is very valuable and this was no exception.
Cover Photo: One of the 2023 winning drawings. To see them all and meet the authors visit @fundacionlideresdeansenuza on Instagram.
