The Golden-Plumed Parakeet and the Easter Wax Palm
During Easter, the Ecuadorian Catholic population weaves palm decorations to commemorate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and was received with palms by the townspeople.

The fronds they use for the handcrafts are from the palm in which the Golden-plumed Parakeet nests, and, due to the deforestation effects this has caused, the bird has started to disappear.

Our goal has been, for the last two years, to distribute posters (see picture, far left) with the help of the local parishes, to educate the local people on the need to protect the Wax Palms and save this beautiful Parakeet.