9th Annual Bi-National Macaw Festival
On May 27-29 the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor committee held the 9th annual Bi-National Macaw Festival in the community of Santa Elena de Pital, San Carlos, Costa Rica. In every odd year, the festival is held in Costa Rica, and every even, in Nicaragua. The purpose of the festival is to bring Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans together in celebration of a natural resource the two countries share: the endangered Great Green Macaw.
Northern Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua is home to the same population of Great Green Macaws, a species with a large home range, migrating north and south for breeding and feeding purposes. Given this large home range, the bird faces an array of threats to its livelihood, including deforestation and poaching. Environmental education and awareness raising activities such as this festival have been crucial in mitigating these threats to the population.
Throughout the weekend, there were many activities for participants to enjoy. Traditional dances from both Nicaragua and Costa Rica, bird walks, bird photo exhibit, t-shirt making contest, puppet show for kids, theatrical play about Arrita the Great Green Macaw mascot, and the ceremonial planting of Almendro saplings behind the schoolhouse.
The festival also screened two documentaries, one focused on an environmental threat in Nicaragua: the African wild palm. African palm plantations are a lucrative business, but they are a non-native crop that requires heavy doses of pesticides that are typically administered by hand by the campesinos. This results in a range of health issues for the plantation workers. On the Costa Rican side, a documentary was shown to highlight a major threat in the northern region: pineapple plantations. Many of the issues are the same, in that pineapple plantations require heavy doses of pesticides, often applied from a crop dusting plane. The pesticides get into local waterways prompting plantations to post signs at the operation warning against drinking water from the area.
A highlight of the festival is the presentation of certificates, given to those who assisted in the organization of the weekend’s activities, as well as to landowners who actively protect Great Green Macaw nesting trees.
With 39 Nicaraguan representatives present at the celebration in Costa Rica, the festival was a great success. Rainforest Biodiversity Group looks forward to being present and continuing to support future celebrations!
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