Mission
To conserve nature in Bolivia, especially threatened bird species and habitats, in partnership with communities and governments (local, regional and the national government).
History
Asociación Armonía was legally established in 1996, and rapidly became the Bolivian BirdLife partner. As a result of its successful work, Armonía became partner of WLT, as well as other international organizations.
Partnership with WLT
World Land Trust (WLT) first partnered with Asociación Armonía in 2008 to help fund the creation of the Barba Azul Reserve in Bolivia’s Beni Savanna – the world’s first protected area for the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis).
In 2014 and 2024, WLT individual supporters and grant funders helped further expand the Barba Azul Reserve. Today, it is over 11,000 ha in size and safeguards key roosting and foraging habitat for the macaw as well as Bolivia’s most important stopover site for the migratory Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis).
In 2018, WLT supporters also helped Armonía to purchase the 680-ha Laney Rickman Reserve, the most important known breeding area for the Blue-throated Macaw. With the help of other donors, this has now expanded to over 2,400 ha.
In addition to this, WLT continues to support Asociación Armonía’s reserve management through its Keepers of the Wild programme, helping fund the rangers responsible for monitoring wildlife, maintaining nest boxes and protecting key habitat.
Other Activities
Asociación Armonía is strongly committed to the protection of Bolivia’s incredible wildlife and their efforts cover a diverse range of work, including:
◉ Large-scale restoration of the threatened high-Andean Polylepis forests (key habitat for numerous threatened and range-restricted bird species), with almost half a million trees planted between 2020 and 2023.
◉ Supporting the sustainable development of local Indigenous communities through agroforestry, bee keeping, cattle ranching, and land use planning.
◉ Organising volunteer programmes focused on research, project management and ornithology. This includes operating Bolivia’s primary bird centre and ornithological research library.
◉ Improving bird watching tourism through the integration of local Indigenous communities within this economic activity.
◉ Working with the wider Conserva Aves program (2023-2027) to support the establishment of subnational protected areas in sites that are key for the most threatened birds of Bolivia.
