Amazon Birdwatching Explorers

Youth Conservation in Yasuní National Park

Inspiring Future Guardians of the Amazon Rainforest,
One Bird at a Time

Yasuní National Park in Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth—and it’s also home to the Kichwa community of Mandari Panga. Deep within this lush rainforest, a unique and inspiring youth initiative is taking flight. The Amazon Birdwatching Explorers program introduces local children to the world of birdwatching and environmental stewardship, nurturing a deep-rooted understanding of biodiversity and a personal connection to their ancestral land.

Created by Mandari Panga Yasuni Jungle Expeditions, this grassroots project empowers children aged 8–15 through a blend of environmental education, hands-on birding, and guided field experiences. At a time when the Amazon faces increasing threats from deforestation, climate change, and extractive industries, this program gives local youth the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to become its most passionate defenders.

Colorful red and blue macaw flying in the sky near tree branches at the Yasuni National Park

Education Meets Exploration: School-Based Activities

Our experienced naturalist guides lead engaging sessions at the Mandari Panga community school. These gatherings combine classroom learning with interactive games, storytelling, and presentations. Children learn to recognize the bird species of Yasuní, understand their behaviors, and explore their ecological roles in the rainforest.

Using birding tools like the Merlin Bird ID and BirdsEye apps, participants are introduced to modern field techniques and begin to build their own life lists of species spotted around the village and riverbanks.

  • Curriculum highlights: bird anatomy, calls and sounds, conservation challenges, and field ethics

  • Group size: 10–15 children, aged 8–15

  • Instructors: Wild Mandari's licensed birding guides and local educators

This immersive approach gives children the confidence to explore their environment, ask questions, and develop skills that can one day lead to careers in ecotourism or conservation. We use the manual developed with the assistance of Cornell Lab. Celebremos las Aves del Ecuador: Manual de Educación Ambiental

Birdwatching club with kichwa school kids at Yasuni National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon
A man giving a presentation to a group of kichwa children at the birdwatching club in the Amazon Rainforest.
Two children standing outdoors in front of a jungle house, at one of the birdwatching club events in the amazon rainforest
Kids at the birdwatching club inaguration. Kids are learning to use binoculars and scope to observe the great bird diversity in the amazon rainforest.

Into the Forest: Field Trips and Global Birding Events

To complement the weekly meetings, we organize guided birdwatching excursions in the rainforest and along the Tiputini River, where students can observe Amazonian birds in their natural habitat. These real-world experiences are key to deepening curiosity and reinforcing the lessons taught in school.

We also plan special conservation events in the lead-up to major international birdwatching days, including:

  • Global Big Day (May)

  • October Big Day (October)

  • Christmas Bird Count (December–January)

These events, coordinated globally by eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, give children the opportunity to contribute to citizen science and participate in a worldwide movement. Ahead of each event, we host community talks, storytelling, and awareness workshops that connect local conservation efforts to global biodiversity action.

We have linked with the PAU Ecuador initiate for assistance on these events.

The Amazon Birdwatching Explorers program is not just about birdwatching—it’s about long-term community transformation. By engaging young people in conservation today, we’re planting the seeds of future birding guides, wildlife biologists, ecotourism leaders, and rainforest protectors.

Looking ahead, we aim to:

  • Build a permanent birdwatching platform for both educational and tourism use

  • Expand the program to nearby communities, including 12 de Febrero

  • Offer guide training scholarships for committed youth in the program

This project would not be possible without the generous support of our partners. We thank the Rotary Club of Canmore (Canada), Lisa Pearson, Vortex Optics Birding US, Rotary Club Quito Bicentenario, PAU Ecuador, Mossy Earth, and Andean Study for their contributions. Mandari Panga Yasuni Jungle Expeditions proudly covers transportation and guide fees, ensuring that no child is left behind due to economic limitations.

Building for the Future: Sustainability and Long-Term Goals

An Anhinga perched over the Tiputini river, at the Yasuni National Park. The great biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest.
Rotary Club of Canmore logo with blue text and a gold rotary wheel emblem
Vortex logo with stylized V and X design and the word VORTEX below.
Logo for the Program of Urban Birds in Quito, Ecuador, featuring two stylized birds and text.
Logo with a stylized blue and green design and text that appears to read 'Healthy Kids'.
Green circular logo with white abstract tree and arrow symbols.
Rotary International logo with text 'Rotary Club Rotario de Quito Bicentenario'

Join Us in Protecting the Amazon, One Bird at a Time

The rainforest gives us beauty, life, and wonder—and through programs like Amazon Birdwatching Explorers, we ensure that future generations continue to cherish and protect it. If you’re passionate about birds, biodiversity, education, or sustainable tourism, we invite you to be part of this transformative journey.

Get involved, support a child’s education, or visit us to witness the magic firsthand.

Together, we can inspire young hearts, protect the treasures of Yasuní, and create a brighter future for the Amazon and its people.