Using a coloring and activity book designed for each project, students learn about primate species in their area and gain an understanding of the uniqueness of primates in the world and the importance of protecting their habitat. Students learn primate biology, behavior, habitat needs, conservation issues, and the value of primates to tourism and a healthy ecosystem – through discussions, reading, and activities in their coloring and activity books. The participating students have been thrilled with their artistic efforts and excited to share the coloring books and their artwork with their families and communities, expanding the outreach effects.
- We have a new coloring book! Written and illustrated for the Jauaperi Extractive Reserve in the Amazon, it has been co-authored and translated into Portuguese by Brazilian primatologist Gabriela de faria Oliveira. The Jauaperi Extractive Reserve is nestled in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. It is one of the last remaining Amazonian forests which stands as a model of excellence in community-based conservation. Download the pdf here.
- Check out our updated edition of the Conservation Coloring and Activity book for Azuero, Panama. This English and Spanish book focuses on the endangered monkeys of the Azuero peninsula and what people can do to protect their habitats and these unique species. Co-authored by Panamanian Tammy Rowe, Stuart Hooper, and Kathy West. Download the pdf here!
The mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are the focus of this coloring and activity book for conservation education. Co-authored by Ugandan conservationist Mushamba Moses and Conservation photographer and educator Kathy West. Check it out!
- We are pleased to release a new Madagascar edition of the bilingual Lemur Conservation Coloring and Activity Book – Masoala! It was written and illustrated for the lemur species, conservation solutions and biodiversity in the Masoala National Park. Co-authored by Malagasy conservationist and educator Pascal Elison, with Kathy West. (download a PDF) Share your new knowledge with your friends and family!
- Our bilingual children’s educational series Lemur Conservation Coloring Book – Southeast edition is available to download to teach students about lemurs and how to support them in their local habitats
Field photography and sketching. The students are taken in small groups into the animals’ habitat to spend hours observing and photographing populations of local primates (DSLR Canon cameras, 70-300mm zoom lenses). Participating teachers and elders also join the students in the field. Students are taught to look carefully at their surroundings, to notice the animals and small parts of the ecosystems that they might normally walk past, and learn from the elder’s knowledge and viewpoint. The students also experience being part of the primates’ habitat and gain an appreciation for its behavior and needs. They gain experience in creating detailed observational notes and sketches to accompany their photographs, recording their observations in a small, personal notebook. These notes and stories are scanned, printed, and displayed with the photographs, allowing the experience to be shared by classmates, families, and community members. They have the opportunity for their best photographs to be printed onsite, laminated, and made into a display, and the images are also posted on the PICC webpage.
The participants have permanent access to a printer/scanner/copy machine and camera located in their village, along with technical assistance from local staff. Under development is a webpage that will provide students with ideas for how to continue developing their communication skills and how to use those skills in creating a career in ecotourism, conservation and community leadership.
Outreach Products with Lasting Effects
As funding is available, a primate conservation book and poster of student photos, drawings and writings will be designed using the PICC students’ creative works, published in the U.S. and shipped back to their community where students can sell the book to tourists to earn funds to support their own conservation education and share the knowledge with other students and communities. A small poster will be published on water-resistant paper and students can distribute the free poster to ecolodges and local and neighboring communities. The poster and book will also be provided to the appropriate government officials as well as available for download online as a PDF.
Under development: A 15-minute documentary film is being developed featuring PICC session students, teachers and elders, highlighting the conservation issues faced by primates and habitat communities, and showing the benefits to the community of primate conservation. A detailed storyline is being developed, with input from local guides, conservation organizations, educators and others. It will be narrated in both the local language and English. The completed film will be provided open-source online for expanded international outreach education and awareness, and to conservation organizations, local educators, and government officials.