ABOUT

I am passionate about photography and nature, and since 2016 I have dedicated part of my time to bringing people closer to nature (among other activities) through photography and the observation of butterflies and moths.

This project is driven by a multidisciplinary team of natural resource engineers, photographers, environmental educators, and volunteers who are passionate about biodiversity conservation. We rely on the community through citizen science, where anyone interested can contribute to data collection.

Biodiversity is at risk due to habitat loss and climate change. Butterflies and moths are key indicators of environmental health. In this sense, the project is an initiative dedicated to documenting and educating to conserve the biodiversity of these insects and is carried out in various locations, both urban and rural. We use digital platforms to facilitate access to our database, allowing anyone, from anywhere, to participate and contribute.

OBJECTIVES

General objective

Establish strategies for outreach and environmental awareness with emphasis on the conservation of lepidoptera in the Yaracuy river basin.

Specific objectives

• Implement outreach activities in schools and communities on the importance of lepidoptera in ecosystems, highlighting their role as pollinators and bioindicators of environmental health.
• Encourage community participation in monitoring and conservation activities of lepidoptera and their habitats
• Contribute to expanding the photographic database of butterflies and moths created on the iNaturalist platform.

 ACTIVITIES

 We implemented a series of activities with which we seek to create a valuable resource that serves both researchers and the general public:

•   Photographic recording:  we invite citizens to capture images of biodiversity in their environment, especially of butterflies and moths.

•  Workshops:  We offer training in photography and the use of citizen science platforms. we teach that a camera (or a smartphone) can be a powerful tool for generating data for conservation. 

• Environmental education: We conduct talks and activities to raise awareness about the importance of these insects.

• Virtual exhibitions:  We show the photographic contributions in online exhibitions. Visit  https://peopleartfactory.com/g/forgotten-pollinators

•  Scientific contribution: The data collected are integrated into scientific databases to support conservation research. Visit  https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?project_id=160728&quality_grade=research&verifiable=any

This year, we want to take another step forward in education and create a coloring book and educational activities with children from the organized community and/or rural schools. The aim is for the children who join us to learn through play, connecting with the insects in their environment at school and at home.

However, in order to print these coloring books, organize field trips, and carry out other activities with the children, we need your support.

 PROJECTS OUTPUTS

• Guided tours and educational activities for approximately 200 children from the organized community/rural schools
• 20 promoters benefited from the photography workshop as a tool for biodiversity conservation
• Contribute to the growth of the photographic database of butterflies and moths
• Posting updates on social media and blogs
• Design and layout of coloring book
• Production of stickers

WHAT WILL THE MONEY RAISED BE USED FOR?

Your contribution will help us to:

• Print coloring books for local children.
• Cover the logistics of field activities and visits to the community/school.
• Continue citizen science workshops for more people who will multiply our efforts.

Will you join us? You can help us with a donation or simply by sharing this project. Every time someone learns about the value of each species, no matter how small, we are one step closer to our goals.

Thank you for helping us photograph, educate, and protect life!

WHO IS ALREADY SUPPORTING US?

We have received significant donations from Idea Wild through projects ROMEVENE1022 and ROMEVENE0125; support from biologists Diana Duque, director and founder of the Spider Monkey Conservation Project, and María González, leader of the Yaracuy Pioneer Scout Group, as well as other colleagues and volunteers. Similarly, over time, the river explorer Iván Mikolji, Canidos Food, MAPROIN, Funeraria La Maracay and institutions such as the National Parks Institute and MINEC have provided us with support for the development of our activities.

A number of friends and colleagues are also supporting us with photographs to illustrate the coloring book.

CAN I DONATE OFFICE SUPPLIES?

Yes, part of the requirements are office supplies. You can contact us if you would like to contribute in this way. Among other things, we need: colored pencils, 90g bond paper, 200g glossy paper for inkjet printers, photo paper, self-adhesive photo paper, and Epson 522 ink cartridges.

TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT

• https://delvisromero.wordpress.com/ciencia-ciudadana-y-conservacion-de-lepidopteros/
• https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/polillas-y-mariposas-de-la-cuenca-del-rio-yaracuy 
• https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/20815

UPDATES

Instagram: @dlvsrmr

Blog: https://delvisromero.wordpress.com

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