Returning to Altagracia: A Journey of Belonging, Biodiversity, and Collective Action

When birds return to a place, it is never by chance; it is because that place offers what they need to survive. Every year, the Buff-breasted Sandpiper — a threatened migratory species — flies thousands of kilometers to rest and feed in the Altagracia reserves of Casanare. Its return is more than a natural cycle; it is a signal of resilience.

This time, it was not just birds returning. A group of youth from Trinidad, together with local leaders, educators, and conservationists, journeyed back to the reserves of Altagracia — not as tourists, but as students, artists, listeners, and protectors. Among them were young women reclaiming their space in conservation, and community elders passing down wisdom rooted in care and lived experience.

This journey was part of the Small Grants Programme for the Conservation of Natural Grasslands, supported by BirdLife International. The project, led by Narrativas de la Biodiversidad and ABC Colombia, is a reminder that protecting biodiversity requires more than data and strategy — it demands empathy, equity, and community.

Learning from the Land (and from the People)

In the San Andrés, San Cristóbal and Buenaventura reserves, the group was welcomed by the true guardians of the territory: women like Karina, Amparo, Rocío, Libia, Yanire, Libia, and Patricia, who have transformed their family lands into havens of biodiversity. Their work includes the recovery of endangered turtle populations, the planting of native trees such as moriche palms, and the care of native bees — all while defending their right to remain on and care for their ancestral lands.

In a field still too often dominated by men, their leadership reaffirms that conservation without women is incomplete. Their voices shaped the learning journey, offering not only ecological knowledge, but a model of community-led, inclusive stewardship.

“Everywhere we went, there was something to learn — not from books, but from the stories of those who live here,” shared one of the participants.

Walking with the Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Birdwatching became a journey of wonder and reflection. At Altagracia Lagoon, eight Buff-breasted Sandpipers appeared! — a rare and powerful sight that moved many to silence. In that moment, binoculars and field guides became tools of connection, not only with nature, but with one another.

Later, in a collective workshop, the group reflected on the journey and imagined the future through the eyes of the birds: a landscape where their habitats are safe, and their stories remembered. Their drawings and dreams spoke not only of birds, but of justice, visibility, and belonging.

A Future Rooted in Care

Beyond field observation, the experience became a celebration of culture, memory, and creativity. Participants listened to community radio productions about the savannas, painted a mural inspired by the landscape of Altagracia, and cooked together using native plants — building bonds across generations and backgrounds.

At the end of each day, they gathered together — watching the sky turn gold over the wetlands. “Why do we return?” someone asked…

Because places like Altagracia change you.

Because returning it is not always about going back — sometimes, it is about beginning again, with more voices at the table and more hands on the land.

©All photos by Natalia Roa.