Saving a Critical Wetland for Endangered Frogs

Dear Donors,

With immense gratitude, we share the final report for the project "Saving a Critical Wetland for Endangered Frogs." Your generous contributions have played a pivotal role in empowering Colombian women and contributing significantly to the conservation of endangered wildlife. This report highlights the success of our recent course, "Techniques for the Study of Colombian Amphibians," which is part of our broader efforts to conserve endangered amphibians in Colombia.

Project Overview

Amphibian conservation is critically important as 41% of amphibians worldwide are threatened with extinction. Colombia, with its incredible biodiversity, is home to 10% of the world's amphibians, boasting around 850 species. Our mission at Women for Conservation (W4C) is to empower women scientists to take an active role in preserving this vital part of our natural heritage.

Key Achievements

1. Empowering Women Scientists

   • Partnering with ProAves, we hosted a four-day educational training course at the ProAves Cerulean Warbler Nature Reserve in San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander. This course is a testament to our commitment to promoting gender equality in science and empowering women in amphibian research.
   • We welcomed 15 undergraduate students from 12 universities across Colombia, who are pursuing degrees in biology, environmental engineering, and biology education. Over half of the participants were women, reflecting our mission to promote gender inclusivity in scientific pursuits.

2. Comprehensive Training

   • The course covered diverse topics, including species distribution models, taxonomy, diversity, data analysis, sampling techniques, and bioacoustics. Participants were mentored by renowned researchers and educators, such as Ph.D. Wilmar Bolívar, Ph.D. Oscar Murillo, Ph.D. Juan Manuel Daza, Magister Eliana Barona Cortés, and Ph.D. María Juliana Bedoya Durán.
   • The guidance of ProAves Colombia’s Director of Research, Alex Cortés, and the Subdirector of the Central Region, Johana Castro, further enriched the learning experience.

3. Practical Application

   • Participants collaborated on field projects to collect data, conduct analyses, and present results. Within the ProAves Cerulean Warbler Nature Reserve, they documented a remarkable 16 species of herpetofauna, including lizards, snakes, and frogs.
   • This hands-on experience not only strengthened their scientific understanding but also contributed to conservation efforts on the ground.

Impact and Testimonials

The success of this course has had a profound impact on the participants and the broader community. Natalia Mejía from the University of Valle shared her experience: “Personally, what I liked most about this course was being able to collaborate with people who share the same passion for amphibians. I also loved learning new techniques for monitoring and researching amphibians. I feel that it has been very valuable, especially the learning experiences and tools that the professors have provided.”

Continued Commitment

While we are closing this specific project, our commitment to endangered frog conservation in critical sites across Colombia continues. Thanks to donors like you, a new generation of passionate frog conservationists is now equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to protect Colombia's precious endangered frogs.

Conclusion

Your support has been instrumental in achieving these milestones. Together, we are creating a future where women are empowered, and wildlife is protected. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to this incredibly important work. We look forward to continuing our journey of empowering women scientists and conserving Colombia’s extraordinary biodiversity.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Women for Conservation

Links:

• Training Colombian Women in Amphibian Research