Community Conservation for Andean Bears in Bolivia

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