In celebration of International Earth Day, and with the goal of fostering environmental awareness and creativity in the community, the Executive Office of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN), together with WHSRN site partners in Argentina: Fundación Líderes de Ansenuza (Laguna Mar Chiquita), Estepa Viva (Atlantic Coast of Tierra del Fuego AIAS), and the National Parks Administration (Laguna de los Pozuelos) launched the “ReciclArte” contest. ReciclArte encourages people of different ages to create artwork related to shorebird habitats using exclusively recycled materials. Participants were challenged to express their vision on this theme, turning everyday items into works of art with a message.
The activity was carried out within the WHSRN Youth and Community Engagement Plan, which presents monthly activities to promote environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, and community participation. Interested partners are invited to boost community interest in their site and raise awareness about its care through artistic, recreational, and educational activities and empowering young environmental leaders by providing them with tools to protect the site in the future.
Results of ReciclARTE
The contest gathered participants of all ages, culminating in the selection of five winners in three categories whose works stood out for their creative use of materials, visual impact, and message. They are:
CHICKS (6 to 10 years old)
- “The Little Shorebird and the Mountain of Trash” by Nicki Selena Lucero (9 years old)
- “Our Waste is Not Their Habitat” by Juan Ignacio Altina (10 years old)
FLEDGLINGS
- “The Necklace of Ansenuza” by Tobías Gael Aranda Paigel (15 years old)
- “ReciFlamingo” by Francesco Sironi (15 years old)
JUVENILES
– “Herons of Ansenuza” by Solana Tosolini (17 years old)
Protecting these habitats is important for all birds; therefore, some of the artworks featured other bird species, not just shorebirds.
“ReciclArte” celebrated the transformative power of art and creativity, reaffirming the commitment of WHSRN sites’ communities to ecosystem protection and conservation. These works highlighted the importance of everyone’s actions in preserving our common home, the Earth, and the need to unite efforts to face the environmental challenges we encounter as a society.
Upcoming Activities in the Youth Engagement Plan Calendar
The Plan was created to involve young people interested in shorebird conservation and to create alliances between WHSRN sites through activities that promote the visibility of their actions.
Upcoming activities in 2024 include:
- In June, young people of different ages and sites exchange letters, sharing their sites’ environmental challenges to celebrate World Environment Day.
- In August, simultaneous workshops will be held at sites working with native vegetation to celebrate Native Tree Day.
- In September, multiple celebrations for Shorebird Day, including a large drawing contest for all ages and thematic virtual meetings, among other activities.
If you are at a WHSRN site and want to join the more than ten sites that share common activities, contact Marina Castellino at marinac@manomet.org to be part of the upcoming plans.
Cover Photo: Youth from Fundación Líderes de Ansenuza.
