Suriname is the smallest and least populated country in South America. Being close to the equator and bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, it is sometimes considered part of the Caribbean and West Indies. Most of the population lives along the northern lowland coast, but 80% or more of the land south of that is tropical rainforest and sparsely inhabited savanna. This area is considered an important area of biodiversity with numerous national reserves and parks.

There are 27 parrot species that call Suriname home, including sun conures, orange-winged Amazons, red-bellied macaws, red-shouldered macaws, scarlet macaws, and blue-and-gold macaws. Suriname is one of three countries in the Americas where it is still possible to hunt, trap, and export parrots. Two-thirds of the parrot species have declining populations.

One Earth Conservation (OEC), spearheaded by LoraKim Joyner, is working with the indigenous population to protect parrots and biodiversity in the region by improving livelihoods through tourism and conservation activities.  Here’s more about what she has to say about this ongoing work.

For the last two years, One Earth Conservation (OEC) has partnered with the Indigenous village of Kalebaskreek to help them protect their parrots and investigate the possibility of developing an ecotourism program there.  After many training sessions and trips, and hours and hours in the field, the village now has a competent team of Parrot Rangers that can monitor the population and nests and protect the birds from trapping.

The Parrot Rangers face challenges with this because in Suriname it is legal to trap and export parrots. Their goal is to work with the government to not issue licenses to trappers to extract parrots from their community lands. They then try to extend this community-based conservation effort to neighboring communities so that an entire habitat can be protected.

The villagers presented their project and petition to various stakeholders and government authorities at a Parrot Conference in October 2024. Galvanized perhaps by the apparent support and a steady presence in the village by One Earth Conservation and its NGO partner, Wildlife and People Suriname, the village then decided a few days after the conference to prohibit hunting and trapping — not just of parrots which they have done in the last 2 years, but of all birds in their territory — and to start an ecotourism project.  This is a monumental step because the village historically and culturally has engaged in hunting for subsistence as well as for business.

One village alone cannot protect the parrots in their region or in Suriname. They need their NGO partners, funders to OEC for Suriname (such as the US Embassy in Suriname, Lush, and donors to Global Giving), and government engagement. They also need international support…and you.

This month’s Lafeber donation goes to support OEC and their work in Suriname.  Learn more about One Earth Conservation projects and how you can donate or assist at https://www.oneearthconservation.org