HI! My name is Aliya and I’m helping BirdsCaribbean raise funds to provide the next generation of Caribbean conservation leaders with the skills and tools needed to advance our understanding of birds and create novel solutions to reduce the threats to their survival.
Why? Because I have benefited from these programs!
Because about five years ago, I was also an early career conservationist trying to find my way with a shiny new degree and barely any experience. At the time I was working on my first parrot conservation project and decided to attend the 2017 BirdsCaribbean Conference in Cuba. It was the first conference I ever attended. There was an abundant selection of workshops but the one that really helped to cement my interest in conservation was the writing workshop ‘Reaching People’. The workshop was led by Mark Yokoyama, who led us through a series of exercises to show us that scientific writing can be fun and engaging for all.
Participants learn about writing for general audiences at the 'Reaching People' workshop at the BirdsCaribbean International Conference in Cuba. (Photo by Jenn Yerkes)
On the spot, I joined the BirdsCaribbean Media Working Group (MWG). I had no experience in communications, only having written a few articles about parrot ecology and behavior for my local newspapers in Trinidad and Tobago. Through the MWG I learned to create a communications plan for conservation projects, write engaging copy, build and engage audiences on social media, and create content to support existing conservation campaigns.
Along the way I developed relationships with other birders and ornithologists in the region, some of whom are my mentors today. But looking back- beyond the CV worthy skills I acquired, I realize that I have been very fortunate to help BirdsCaribbean promote their incredible conservation work. At the core of each of their programs are local researchers working together with communities to create a future that would benefit both themselves and the birds. Essentially what the organization is doing is helping each conservationist, who participates in the various workshops, to use the tools and skills to create their own legacies that will be passed onto the next generation of bird and nature lovers.
Participants from the Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Workshop, in the Dominican Republic, head into the field to practice their skills.
In 2023, BirdsCaribbean would like to offer more training workshops and resources and materials, including small research and conservation grants to a new cohort of Caribbean conservation leaders.
Please give a gift today that will help train and ignite leadership potential in Caribbean conservationists, like myself. We need everyone’s help to reach this goal!
Together, we are #ChangingLivesSavingBirds
Thank you!
Warmly,
Aliya Hosein
P.S. Please consider sharing this story and campaign with your friends, family, and networks via email and to your social media accounts too.
