Context:
Based on the lessons learned from the Hyacinth Macaw Project, an internationally recognized project due to the efforts of its mentor, Dr. Neiva Guedes, to save the hyacinth macaw from the threat of extinction, in 1999 the Hyacinth Macaw Institute came across a sui generis environmental situation in the city of Campo Grande.
The alteration and de-characterization of natural environments, changes in the production sector and the global economy have led to an increase in the urban population and the consequent expansion of cities. On the other hand, cities that manage to establish themselves and remain relatively well wooded, such as Campo Grande, the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, are managing to house several specimens of wildlife in an urban environment, such as the blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) and red-and-green macaws (Ara chloropterus) which began migrating to Campo Grande in 1999 (GUEDES, 2012).
In Campo Grande, these birds found food easily, as well as cavities to breed in dead palm trees. The establishment of these birds in the city has been monitored since the beginning, with observation of food items.
Studies on behavior and reproductive biology began in 2010 and 2011, respectively. In 2012, the Urban Birds Project – Macaws of the City was created, with the aim of studying the biology of the blue-and-yellow macaw and its interactions in the city (people, traffic, buildings), as well as using it as a tool for education, ecotourism and promoting biodiversity conservation.
This work is being carried out in an urban area of Campo Grande, where nests are periodically monitored from July to December. The chicks are weighed, measured and photographed. Before fledging, the chicks are ringed, nanochipped and have biological material collected.
The Urban Birds Project – Macaws in the City has a history marked over the years by its important results, and has also been the subject of several media reports.
As one of the technical-scientific results and the promotion of public policies, in 2021 Campo Grande is officially “The Capital of the Macaws” and establishes the “Municipal Day for the Protection of Macaws”, on September 22, through Law No. 6,567, of March 19, 2021.
Aim: To commemorate the Municipal Day for the Protection of Macaws in Campo Grande, working with the Blue-and-yellow Macaw species (Ara ararauna) as a representative of the large macaws that occur in the municipality. And to encourage children to be environmentally aware through playful activities such as art and poetry.
Target audience: Children aged 06 to 12.
Methodology:
This competition will be held in two categories:
- Drawing category: aimed at children aged between 06 and 08 years old, where the candidate must create a drawing about the blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) which will represent the great macaws that occur in our municipality. Drawings must be sent in image format (jpg; jpeg; pmj) using this form.
- Poetry category: aimed at children between the ages of 09 and 12, where the candidate must create a poem about the blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna), which will represent the large macaws that occur in our municipality. The poems must be sent in image format (jpg; jpeg; pmj) using this form. Remember that it is extremely important that the writing is legible.
Evaluation criteria:
- Ages between 06 and 12;
- The drawings and poems must be written by the author, using colored pencils, ink, crayons or any material that can represent the blue-and-yellow macaw;;
- Drawings and poetry outside the pre-established format (JPG; JPEG; PNJ) will not be accepted.
About registration:
- Entries will only be accepted if you fill in the form: https://forms.gle/soC8V9NKWTtN89MP7;
- Drawings and poetry must be sent in the formats defined (JPG; JPEG; PNJ) on the entry form, in the “Send file” field.;
- Applications must be submitted by September 16, 2024;
- On the day of the awards ceremony, the winners of the competition must be accompanied by a guardian over the age of 18 and have their own means of transportation to carry out the scheduled activities.
Deadlines:
- Registration period: from September 4 to 16, 2024;
- Evaluation period: September 17 and 18, 2024;
- Date of announcement of results: September 19, 2024;
- Award date: September 22, 2024.
Awards:
- Three children from each category will be awarded prizes, making a total of six winners;
- The awards ceremony will be held on September 22, 2024 (Sunday), at 07:00 a.m. at the headquarters of the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, located at Rua Klaus Sthurk, 106, Jardim Mansur, Campo Grande, MS.
- The winners will be rewarded with a morning as a Junior Researcher, a plush blue-and-yellow macaw and a certificate of participation in the competition.
Schedule:
- From 07:00 to 08:00 – Talk about the Hyacinth Macaw Institute and its activities;
- From 08:00 to 09:30 – Nest monitoring;
- From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Prize-giving and picnic at Bosque das Aves, located on Avenida Rita Vieira near the Instituto Arara Azul headquarters.
Tips for enjoying the morning:
– Wear comfortable, light clothes;
– Closed shoes;
– Remember to wear sunscreen and a hat;
– Bring your water bottle and reusable cup;
Possible questions:
- I want to sign up, do I have to pay anything?
A: No. This competition will be completely free.
- I have no means of transportation for the day of the event, can I register?
A: No. The winners must be able to travel to the activities on their own.
- Should I bring any food?
A: No. The Institute will provide the picnic.
- What is the total time of the activity?
A: The total time will be 4 hours.
Text by: Eliza Mense
Biologist, post-graduate in environmental education and business management, with 36 years’ experience in managing social and environmental projects. Since 2014, she has been a member of the Executive Board of the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, developing management and financial sustainability actions for the execution of research and conservation projects.
Sponsorship:
