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Activities

 

 

 

Activities 2008

"Introductory Course to Geographic Information Systems and its Applications"

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) constitutes as a very important tool to analyze and solve a variety of spatial problems in ecology, population genetics, evolution, and conservation biology. Given the importance of GIS and its potential for applications in a wide variety of fields of study, the Association for Conservation Biology (ACB-B) and the Center for Spatial Analysis (CAE) organized a training course focused on students and professionals interested in applying GIS. The course was taught by Wendy Tejeda (CAE, ACB-B), Albert Pareja (CAE) and Bernardo Mendoza (Post grado, Institute of Ecology, UMSA).

The course took place between October 6th and 10th, 2008. Twenty one participants attended, most of them were from the Department of Biology (Universidad Mayor de San Andres), National Herbarium of Bolivia, and the Vice-presidency of the Republic of Bolivia. Participants were trained on the basis and utilities of GIS, a tool that allowed them to expand their knowledge of database management, supported by browsing the web, and to development thematic maps for analysis and integration of data in space and time.

Course: "Methods for Modeling Species Distributions"

The second version of the course Methods for Modeling Species Distribution was held between 25 and 29 August 2008 in the Auditorium of the Institute of Ecology, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. The course was taught by Dr. Kazuya Naoki (Center for Spatial Analysis, IE, UMSA) and Lic. Teddy M. Siles (Wildlife Conservation Society), with the sponsorship of the Center for Spatial Analysis (Institute of Ecology), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Global Biodiversity Facility (GBIF).

Fifteen participants from Bolivia, Peru and Colombia, attended the course. Most of the participants are currently working in research institutions (museums and universities) and organizations focused on conservation of biodiversity. The course was focused on theoretical and practical aspects on methodologies and programs to simulate the potential distribution of species.

"San Juan and Climate Change"

In June 22, ACB-B attended the traditional fair of El Prado (city of La Paz, Bolivia). The main objective was to promote awareness of the environmental consequences associated with excessive fires during the holyday of San Juan. For this activity we produce educational materials directed to a variety of ages, children played games and painted environmental education handouts while adults watched videos about climate change. The event was a successful since visitors were interested in learning more about environmental problems as well as ACB-B activities. We will are planning to continue doing these activities.

"A Space fod Reflection and Culture to conmemorate the World Environment Day"

On 5 and 6 June 2008, the ACB-B supported the event “A Space for Reflection and Culture to Commemorate the World Environment Day” organized by the Viceministry of Biodiversity, Forest Resources, and Environment. The association organized a series of games as well as paintings and drawings focused on global warming, conservation, and water use. Aproximately 130 children and teenagers participated, they showed a lot of enthusiasm to learn more about current environmental problems. There was also a reflection on the effects of inappropriate behavior in the environment and how children can contribute to actions for making a healthier planet.

 

Activities 2007

VII Congress of Ornithology and Bird Conservation in Bolivia

The VII Congress of Ornithology and Bird Conservation in Bolivia took place between October 18 and 20 of 2007 at the Hotel Calacoto, La Paz. The main objectives of the congress were to integrate activities and exchange experiences of research on birds in Bolivia. The event was organized by the Coleccion Boliviana de Fauna - Museo Nacional de Historia Natural , the Asociación Civil Armonia, and Association for Conservation Biology - Bolivia.

120 participants from seven countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Kenya) attended the event. A course on "Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Raptor" was conducted after the meeting, taught by Dr. Sebastian Herzog and Dr. Hernan Vargas. The course ended with the formation of a group of regional interest and allowed the connection between people involved and knowledgeable in the ecology and conservation of birds of prey.

 

Course: "Modeling the Distribution of Species and its Applications"

The course Modeling the Distribution of Species and Their Applications was held on September 2007. The course was organized under the initiative of the Center for Spatial Analysis (CAE) and the Society for Conservation Biology - Bolivia (ACB-B) and sponsored by Nature Serve, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Institute of Ecology, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. The course was taught by Dr. Kazuya Naoki (CAE - IE, UMSA), M.Sc. Javier G. Villegas (CAE - IE, UMSA) and Mr. Teddy M. Siles (WCS). The objective of the activity was to train students, researchers and professionals working in ecology and conservation biology in the use and application of GIS tools to obtain, to process, to model the distribution of species, to interpret results, and to apply the techniques in a variety of studies.

The course was focused on the theoretical and practical aspects of different methodologies for modeling species distributions. Participants received a series of tutorials in computer classes, discussions and presented projects using their own study cases.

Activities 2006

"Training Workshop for Forest Rangers in the Manuripi-Heath Amazonian Wildlife National Reserve, Pando"

The training workshop oriented to forest rangers in the Manuripi-Heasth Amazonian Wildlife National Reserve was conducted during June 2006. The workshop was supported with funding from Education for Nature Program of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The workshop consisted of three modules: 1) project design, 2) conservation of biodiversity and 3) flora and fauna. The load was 105 hours, of which 27 were theoretical and 78 practical. The workshop was attended by 8 forest ranges and it was designed and delivered by Paola Flores, Alejandra Domic, Arely Palabral, Vanesa Serrado, and Rosember Hurtado.

 

 

Environmental Education Programs

ACB – B is interested in promoting the respect for nature, reinforcing and creating affective relations between humans and nature, informing about enviromnetal problems at a local, national and global scale. Since 1998, we have been working mostly with children from public schools in the city of La Paz but we also have some experience working with teenager as well as school teachers. We organized several small workshops which are based on the methodology “learning by doing” which means to incorporate education of nature in nature. Our experiences include a series of modules. Each model focuses on a specific topic related with environmental problems (endangered species, deforestation, and contamination) and concepts in ecology (tropic chain and ethnobotany). Modules include a brief explanation and games, the fundamental tools for education (e.g. puppets, simulation games, theater, etc.).

Our experiences shows that students as well as teachers become more interested in learning more about environmental problems if the topics are addressed using games and dynamics. The workshops also helps to develope environmental conscience. Moreover, they helped us to identify gaps of information to reinforce future environmental education programs.

Capacitation

ACB-B organizes workshops, talks, and courses focused on conservation biology. The topics are focused particularly on Bolivia and include the participation of Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations. Members of different institutions are invited to join and to contribute with their experiences.

Seminars

1. Introduced floral species and their impact on La Paz Valley (2002).
2. Introduced fauna species and their impact on La Paz Valley (2002).
3. The problematic of water resources on Bolivia (2003).
4. Biodiversity National Strategy (2003, organized with Ecos por la Vida ).
5. Soil in Bolivia and its current status (2004, organized with MUDES, PRODENA, and Geographic Engineer department - UMSA).

Meetings

1. III Scientific Meeting of Biology (2002)
2. I Meeting of Genetic Resources in Bolivia (2005)

Support

1. First Bolivian Congress of Ecology (2006)

Courses

1. Introduction to Experimental Design in Conservation Biology Studies (2003). Supported by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Insituto de Ecologia (IE). Presented by Luis Arteaga, Andrea Morales, and Carlos Zambrana
2. Strategic Pacification (2006), in coordination with M. Sc. María Rosa Gamarra

Workshops

1. Environmental Policies for the Sustainable Development in Latin America (1999). Supported by PRODENA and presented by Ph.D. Eduardo Gudynas, Centro Latinoamericano de Ecología Humana
2. 1 st Workshop Capacitating Forestrangers in Conservation Biology, Reserva Nacional de Vida Silvestre Amazónica Manuripi Heath (2006). Presented by Alejandra Domic, Paola Flores, Arely Palabral, Vanesa Serrudo y Rosember Hurtado, ACB-B members .

Panels

Informative panels were designed for especial dates. Most of them were presented in Department of Biology (UMSA) and fairs in El Prado (city of La Paz) organized by Alcaldía Municipal de La Paz.

1. Ozone layer day.
2. Wildlife protection day.
3. Swaps day.
4. Biodiversity day.
5. Environment day.

 

 

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