3 pillars of our recovery program
Led and developed by Dr. Sam Williams, the Recovery Program focuses on three key components. Through ongoing research we strive to use evidence-based practices to increase our impact.
Thriving Birds
Macaws’ slow life-history, and the many threats they face in the wild, make it difficult for their populations to recover on their own. Our Bird Program works to recover and protect Great Green and Scarlet Macaws and the Yellow-naped amazon parrot through both in-situ and ex-situ conservation. In the field, we apply science-informed strategies to protect vulnerable nests and monitor wild populations, including an annual census of the Great Green Macaw, an international collaborative effort to study the Macaw across its entire range. While we protect and study the wild populations, we also breed and strategically release birds to help the populations recover. Our breeding center homes rescued Scarlet and Great Green Macaws, providing them with the best quality of life and the opportunity to form partner bonds and breed as they would in the wild. Provided with enriching environments and nutritious diets, they are able to raise the next generation of wild Macaws, who are given training for life in the wild and full health checks before being released through a soft release technique.
Intact Habitat
Between 1940 and 1990, 54% of Costa Rica’s forest cover was lost! This was mostly due to a booming fast-food industry in North America and the expanse of chemically intensive monocultures, such as pineapple and banana plantations. Our habitat protection and restoration program focuses on integrating communities into long term solutions for this threat to the Macaws. Our native tree nursery homes hundreds of seeds and saplings, and while these saplings grow, the Network works with private landowners to protect remaining Mountain Almond trees and other plant species the Great Green Macaw relies on, supporting these people to improve their land-use practices. The Sarapiquí Rainforest Reserve, established in 2023, is 208 hectares of forest in the heart of Great Green Macaw breeding ground. 20% of this land was used for cattle ranching and is being restored with community involvement, led by our Women Rangers program.
Unified Communities
To ensure Macaw populations do not disappear from our skies, we work with local communities to address issues for the long term. People’s attitudes and behaviors towards wildlife will always be key factors to make conservation successful, which is why our Community Outreach program works to understand local attitudes towards nature and the barriers that prevent positive change. This empathetic approach has enabled us to form deeper connections with communities and local law enforcement. Our Women Rangers program trains and empowers local women in Boca Tapada to be conservation leaders in their community, educating and inspiring children and adults, leading community reforestation events, and cultivating future habitat through their own native plant nursery, Casa del Titor.
visit our sites
A visit to the Punta Islita Wild Macaw Reserve to count parrots should be on your itinerary when visiting Costa Rica! You will learn about our efforts, see a magnificent species fly free, and directly help Parrot Conservation. Do not miss out!
Learn Moremacaw Species
The Great Green and the Scarlet Macaws are two of the most recognizable parrot species in the world, they are renowned for their beauty, intelligence, and charisma. However, because of recent and rapid declines in their numbers, they are in desperate need of your help. By protecting these birds and their habitat, together we can support biodiversity conservation in one of the worlds most biologically important areas.
Learn MoreMeet theteam
Our dedicated staff runs day-to-day operations and ensure that our programs are running smoothly. In all areas of our work our team continually expand their knowledge whether that’s about the birds, conservation, or non-profit management.
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