Community Conservation for Andean Bears in Bolivia

Dear Supporters,

We are thrilled to share an inspiring update from our project, which would not have been possible without your generous support. Your contributions have directly empowered rural women in Bolivia to take the lead in conservation efforts while improving their livelihoods. Through initiatives like Kanti Andino, the project is addressing urgent environmental challenges while uplifting local communities.

Meet Andrea Fuentes and Kanti Andino
Andrea Fuentes, an environmental engineer and founder of Kanti Andino, has shared a glimpse into how this project is transforming lives. Kanti Andino was born from the Jucumari Program, a community-based conservation initiative dedicated to protecting the Andean Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus). With your help, the program has grown into a unique initiative combining sustainable artisanal weaving with species conservation.

This project began in early 2021 when Andrea and her team engaged local communities to identify ways to address environmental challenges sustainably. During this process, the voices of local women resonated with clarity and confidence: "We know how to weave. Can you help us?" From there, a new path of collaboration emerged, blending traditional skills with conservation goals. Thanks to your generosity, this vision is now a reality.

Weaving Conservation and Community Empowerment
Today, the women of Kanti Andino handcraft textiles inspired by their natural surroundings. These weavings are not only beautiful but also contribute directly to the conservation of Andean Spectacled Bears. The profits support fair trade, provide sustainable income for the women artisans, and create a deeper connection between local communities and conservation efforts.

Through your donations, Kanti Andino has also been able to deliver workshops on empowerment, conservation, and sustainable livelihoods. These sessions have been transformative for the women, fostering a strong sense of leadership and stewardship of their ecosystems. The relationship between the artisans, their craft, and the protection of Andean wildlife continues to grow stronger, all thanks to your belief in their potential.

A Journey of Growth and Challenges
While Kanti Andino has made significant progress, there is still much to achieve. Andrea and her team are working hard to expand their marketing and outreach efforts to bring these incredible products to a broader audience. They are determined to continue this journey, equipped with the skills, resilience, and vision to move forward.

Your support has been instrumental in building this foundation, allowing women to gain confidence, provide for their families, and contribute to the protection of Bolivia's vulnerable wildlife. The challenges ahead are great, but so are the possibilities—thanks to you.

Continue Supporting Women and Wildlife
The story of Kanti Andino is just the beginning. With your ongoing help, we can ensure that women like Andrea and the artisans she supports can keep growing their impact. By donating to our ongoing project, Support Women Scientists Saving Endangered Wildlife, you will be directly contributing to the conservation of species like the Andean Spectacled Bear and to the empowerment of rural women across Bolivia.

Together, we are weaving a brighter future—one where people and nature can thrive in harmony. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

With gratitude,
The Women for Conservation Team
P.S. Watch Andrea’s inspiring story in our latest project video here!

Links:

• Proyecto Jucumari - Women for Conservation's Bolivia partner

Introduction We are excited to share the progress of our project, "Community Conservation for Andean Bears in Bolivia." This initiative, started in 2021, aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect the threatened spectacled bear by empowering women with sustainable livelihoods. Your generous support has been instrumental in driving this mission forward, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to empowering women and conserving Bolivia’s unique wildlife.

Project Overview The Andean bear, also known as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), faces significant threats from human-wildlife conflict, primarily due to retaliatory killings. The root cause of these conflicts often lies in the economic losses suffered by local communities due to bear attacks on livestock. In response, we initiated the Programa Jucumari, a community conservation initiative in Cochabamba, Bolivia, to promote coexistence between Andean bears and local communities.

Key Achievements

1. Empowering Women with Sustainable Livelihoods

   • At the heart of our project is the empowerment of women through the production and commercialization of handmade textiles. This initiative was born out of a community consultation where women expressed a strong interest in textile production over other proposed alternatives like community tourism or organic farming.
   • We launched a pilot program to promote the commercialization of handmade textiles, helping women create a brand and digital catalog. This has led to small-scale sales and an agreement to allocate 20% of the revenue from each product to Andean bear conservation.

2. Building Trust and Knowledge Exchange

   • Through regular meetings, we have fostered a strong relationship with the women of the community. These sessions, held twice a month, provide a platform for discussing weaving techniques, environmental conservation, and the importance of the Andean bear.
   • This ongoing dialogue has been invaluable in understanding the community’s perspective on wildlife conservation and has helped us tailor our approach to address their concerns effectively.

3. Strengthening Conservation Efforts

   • A significant milestone was achieved on August 25, 2022, with the enactment of the first municipal law to protect the Andean bear, supported by our technical data confirming the species' presence in the area.
   • We have established a structured agenda to collaborate with local authorities and experts on the implementation of conservation laws, further solidifying our commitment to protecting the Andean bear.

Impact on the Community The impact of this project extends beyond conservation. By empowering women with sustainable livelihoods, we are improving the economic resilience of families, reducing the need for retaliatory killings of bears, and fostering a culture of coexistence. The women involved in the textile initiative have not only gained new skills but also confidence and a sense of ownership over their role in conservation.

Participant Testimonial "Being part of this project has been a transformative experience for me and my family. The skills we have learned in textile production are invaluable, and knowing that our work contributes to conserving the Andean bear makes us proud." - Participant from Corral Pampa.

Next Steps To build on our progress, we plan to:

• Expand the textile initiative to other communities in the region.
• Provide further training in natural dyeing and advanced weaving techniques.
• Develop leadership skills among women to enable them to take on administrative and commercial roles within the initiative.
• Continue our collaboration with local authorities to strengthen and enforce conservation laws.

Conclusion Your support has been crucial 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 sharing more updates as we continue to make a difference in the lives of women and the conservation of the Andean bear in Bolivia.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Women for Conservation

Links:

• Jucumari Partnership: Conserving the Andean Bear