Annual Report 2018 by Fabian Jimenez

2018

FUNDACIÓN PROYECTO TITÍ

Photo: Suzi Eszterhas

ANNUAL REPORT

ABOUT PROYECTO

TITÍ

Cotton-top tamarins are one-pound monkeys found only in the tropical dry forests of northwestern Colombia. Their long-term survival is threatened by the extensive destruction of their tropical forest habitat and capture for the illegal pet trade.

Proyecto Tití is a multi-disciplinary conservation program whose mission is to protect the critically endangered cotton-top tamarins and the forests they call home. Our work supports the vision of healthy populations of cotton-top tamarins, in well preserved and interconnected forests, living in harmony with local human communities, and being recognized as a symbol of the Colombian Caribbean region’s natural patrimony. Our conservation program is multi-disciplinary in nature and works to reduce the threats to cotton-top tamarin survival through: • Protecting, restoring, and connecting forests to increase the amount of habitat for cotton-tops and working to develop effective management programs that insure the long-term survival of the cotton-top tamarin in Colombia. • Understanding the factors that influence the survival of cotton-top tamarins and impacts to their forest home through our long-term field research program. • Providing conservation education programs that focus on increasing knowledge, changing attitudes and influencing the behavior of students to become trusted stewards of Colombia’s natural resources. • Creating sustainable community development programs that decrease individuals’ dependencies on forest products while providing them with economic alternatives that aid in the conservation of cotton-top tamarins and their forest home. • Engaging the public through an effective communication program to increase awareness and willingness to support cotton-top tamarin and forest conservation efforts.

Photo: Proyecto Tití

We focus most of our conservation efforts in the departments of Bolívar and Atlántico in the northern region of Colombia. However, we work in partnership with regional environmental authorities and non-profit organizations throughout Colombia to develop strategies that expand our efforts to conserve cotton-tops throughout their historic distribution.

CELEBRATING

OUR

ACHIEVEMENTS We celebrated the completion of our first 5-year strategic plan that allowed us to focus our efforts on reducing the threats to the long-term survival of the cotton-top tamarins and their forest home. By establishing clear goals and measurements of success, it is with great satisfaction and deepest gratitude to our supporters, partners, environmental authorities, communities, and our incredible team, we celebrate and share our significant achievements summarized below:

Photo: JoĂŁo Marcos Rosa

WE EXPANDED our conservation efforts to a new community

In 2015, we established a new field site in the community of San Juan Nepomuceno (Bolívar), a critical stronghold for cotton-top tamarins due in part to the 2,400-acre Los Colorados National Park. This has allowed us to double our impact of our conservation efforts on behalf of cotton-top tamarins. With our sites in Atlántico and Bolívar we work with communities that surround the most important remnants of tropical dry forest that are home to wild populations of cottontop tamarins covering more than 67% of the tropical dry forests found in this region (Humboldt Institute, 2014).

WE PROTECTED forests for cotton-tops

We recognize how important it is to permanently protect forests for cotton-tops. Between 2011 -2018, we helped to create more than 13,600 acres of protected forests for cotton-top tamarins in Atlántico and Bolívar. In collaboration with the regional environmental authorities, we created four new protected areas. We also purchased land to create a protected reserve and worked with local land-owners to create conservation corridors on privately owned lands. These 13,600+ acres are now permanently protected under Colombian law and represent 9% of the remaining forest found in Atlántico and Bolívar and 6% of the forests remaining in the overall historic distribution of cotton-top tamarins in Colombia (Humboldt Institute, 2014).

WE GREW as an organization

We couldn’t have accomplished as much as we have, if it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication of our expanding team. Thanks to an increase in support from our generous donors, we have been able to double the size of our team to 24 passionate conservationists. We continue our commitment to establishing partnerships with other NGOs and environmental authorities that demonstrate just how much we can accomplish when we work together.

COTTON-TOPS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED as a symbol of the Colombian Caribbean Region

Our outreach efforts continued to grow as we increased our social media presence and attention in the local, national and international media outlets. However, we reached a new level of recognition when a cotton-top tamarin was chosen as the mascot for the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, an international sporting event that was held in Barranquilla. “Baqui” provide a unique platform to bring even greater visibility and attention to cotton-top tamarins worldwide. Since the debut of “Baqui” we have seen a significant increase in our social media followers, as well as invitations to join public and private events, festivals, and fairs. This has given us wonderful opportunities to share our message with new audiences and engaging new people committed to helping save cotton-tops in Colombia.

Photo: Proyecto TitĂ

WE GENERATED economic benefits for local communities

In San Juan Nepomuceno, we work with 56 landowners who own 3,000+ acres of land. Through our conservation agreements with the landowners, 16% of this land has been designated as protected and will be used in restoration efforts that allow us to create forest corridors for cotton-top tamarins and will connect this area to the national park. Our income generation programs continue to empower communities and provide support for their families. Our artisans that create eco-mochilas and plush cotton-top tamarin toys continue to prosper. The eco-mochila artisans now work with Colombian fashion designers and their new products can be seen in stores throughout Colombia. Our community plastic recycling program, which provides the raw material used in Titi Posts continues to remove plastic from the environment. More than 30 tons of plastic have been recycled and made into plastic fences posts that are used to fence protected areas. We have more than 100 families in 7 communities that directly benefit from our income generating programs and many others that benefit indirectly by providing transportation and food services and equipment rentals for our program. We continue to demonstrate a positive economic impact for our communities in support of their continued involvement in cotton-top tamarin conservation efforts.

WE EDUCATED new generations of Colombians

With the expansion of our conservation efforts in San Juan, we increased the number of schools and students that participate annually in Proyecto Tití’s conservation education programs. Our programs are based in the classroom and are focused on creating an emotional connection with cotton-tops that will foster learning and promoting behaviors that will ensure the survival of this critically endangered species. Students learn about cotton-tops and the personal actions that are needed to save cotton-tops and their forest homes. From 2014 to 2018, more than 8,300 children from third to seventh grade in 10 public schools in 7 communities, participated in these educational programs. A recent evaluation of our programs has found students had retained their knowledge about cotton-top tamarins and demonstrated attitudes and behaviors that support cotton-top tamarin conservation. The educational programs of Proyecto Tití provide evidence that engaging youth in meaningful conservation activities can assist in the protection of cotton-top tamarins.

WE RECEIVED national and international recognition

Proyecto Tití has been recognized nationwide with the Caracol Prize for Biodiveristy Conservation (2014) and by the international conservation community as we have received the prestigious Whitley Award (2015) and the National Geographic Society / Buffet Award (2017) for our efforts to conserve cotton-top tamarins. This recognition and support from our generous donors and supporters continue to fuel our drive and dedication that we truly can build a future where wildlife and people will live together in harmony. We couldn’t do it with out you! Here’s to a bright future for cotton-top tamarins in Colombia!

Sincerely, ROSAMIRA GUILLEN, Executive Director

2018...

Photo: Christi Saltonstall

NEW STRATEGIC PLAN 2019-2023

STRATEGIES,

THREATS AND CONSERVATION TARGETS E = STRATEGIES TO IMPLEMENT INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIES

PROGRAMMATIC STRATEGIES

E9 E11

Research to inform cotton-top tamarin conservation and community programs

E14 E13

Strengthen FPT’s administrative, financial and institutional sustainability

E12 12

Protect forest for cotton-top tamarins

Grow the Proyecto Tití brand

E2 E15

Support restoration and preservation offorest for cotton-tops

Generate and promote viable and sustainable alternative sources of income for local communities

Educate and advocate for cotton-top friendly communities

We remain committed to developing strategic plans to maximize our efforts to conserve cotton-tops that align with our vision for the future. Our 20192023 plan will focus on strategies that continue our efforts to 1) protect and restore forest for cottontop tamarins, 2) educate local communities, 3) provide income alternatives to reduce human

AM = THREATS TO REDUCE

Agricultural and cattleranching expansion

AM3

impact on forest resources, and 4) increase our understanding of how these efforts impact the cotton-top tamarin population at large. We will continue our efforts to strengthen the Proyecto TitĂ brand through effective media strategies and effectively manage our finances, fundraising and staff.

O = CONSERVATION TARGETS

Tropical Dry Forest Selective logging

AM4

Unsustainable farming practices

AM6

STRATEGIC PLAN

2019-2023

Cotton-top Tamarins Cotton-tops in the ilegal pet trade

AM10 O2

FOREST CONSERVATION

MORE FORESTS

Photo: Proyecto Tití

FOR COTTON-TOPS

Forest Reserve “Los Titíes de San Juan” We created the privately-owned protected reserve “Los Titíes de San Juan” which is adjacent to Los Colorados National Park and remain committed to expanding this reserve to protect more forests for cotton-tops. We were able to purchase an additional 40+ acres in 2108 to add to this property giving us more than 400+ acres of habitat for cotton-top tamarins and other native wildlife in the region. We have designed a management plan for this protected area that focuses on restoring the forest, monitoring the cotton-top tamarin population found in this area, and insuring the protection of the forest in perpetuity. As our property is adjacent to the National Park, this represents a 16% expansion of protected forests for cotton-tops in the region.

“El Palmar del Tití”: A new protected area for cotton-tops In partnership with Atlántico’s environmental authority, a new 6,500 protected area was created. It was named “El Palmar del Tití” to honor cotton-top tamarins and the community’s commitment to saving forests for this critically endangered primate. This new area is adjacent to Los Rosales Regional Park, a 3,200+ acre protected area created by the local environmental authority in 2011 to protect cotton-tops and to halt the construction of an international airport in this area. These 9,700 acres of forest are now protected thanks to the efforts of Proyecto Tití and our partners.

FOREST CONSERVATION

Forest restoration We are committed to restoring and connecting forest habitat for cotton-tops by working with our local landowners in the village of New Mexico in San Juan Nepomuceno. In this community we have 100+ acres of land under conservation agreements and we have planted over 26,000 saplings from 26 native tree species that provide food or shelter to cottontop tamarins.

Photos: Proyecto TitĂ

Our restoration efforts have been remarkably successful! Nearly 83% of the saplings that were planted in 2017 survived to one year. That is an unprecedented survival rate and it is thanks to great care that our landowners give these protected areas that allow us to celebrate this successful restoration effort.

Photos: Proyecto Tití

Photos: Proyecto Tití Photos: Proyecto Tití

In the past two years, we have helped to restore more than 200 acres of habitat by planting more than 50,000 saplings. As these trees grow, we look forward to having new corridors that connect this area to the Los Colorados National Park providing more habit for wildlife in the region.

FIELD RESEARCH

COTTON-TOPS IN THE FOREST

Photo: Suzi Eszterhas

We continued studying 9 family groups of wild cotton-top tamarins as part of our long-term field research efforts in Ceibal (Santa Catalina, BolĂvar). Our field teams collect valuable information on the social behavior, reproduction, and diet, of these monkeys which continues to be used to monitor the long-term health and viability of our population. We established a formal agreement with Los Colorados National Park to study family groups of cotton-top tamarins within the park. We were able to identify three study groups that will be monitored by our team as part of a comparative study between our two study sites. This information will be important to help us understand how cotton-tops fare under differing environmental conditions.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

STUDENTS

This provided a valuable opportunity for these students to have a positive experience in nature and see many of the lessons learned in the CARTITILLA come alive right before their very eyes. Having such formative experiences that continue to build the emotional connection with cotton-tops while increasing their knowledge first-hand about, the threats to the forest and the monkeys is a truly impactful experience for these students.

Results evaluating the effectiveness of our programs has illustrated a sustained increase in knowledge that demonstrates studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; understanding of the importance of protecting

cotton-tops, threats to their survival and practical behaviors that students can engage in that lead to positive conservation outcomes. We have published an article in Nature Conservation (Feilen et al., 2018) illustrating that our education programs have long lasting impact. We have shown that participation in these immersive educational experiences has not only increased knowledge but has actively engaged students in creating attitudes and behaviors that positively impact the long-term survival of the cotton-top tamarin and their forest home. This next generation is ready to lead the way in protecting wildlife for the future!

Photo: Proyecto TitĂ

COMMITTED TO CONSERVATION

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

MORE COMMUNITIES

Photo: Mia Kennel

BENEFIT

Income generation programs for local communities:

We continued to provide income generating opportunities for local communities benefiting nearly 100 families. Artisans created more than 200 ecomochilas, beautiful tote bags crocheted from recycled plastic bags, more than 6,000 eco-mochila bracelets and over 2,000 plush cotton-top tamarin toys. More

than 52 tons of recycled plastic for TitĂ Posts, fence posts made from recycled plastic were collected through our community recycling program and local landowners saw benefits by using environmentally friendly farming practices that yielded more crops as part of our conservation agreements program.

Photo: Diego Fuentealba

We are proud to employ members of local communities to help us do our important work in the field. Currently 42% of our full-time employees are based in the local communities where we work. We also offer shortterm employment to assist with our forest

restoration efforts. Fourteen people from the local community were employed to help us plant the 26,000 saplings. We also help support local businesses through the use of community transportation services, service rentals, and food and beverage services.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Evaluation of our impact on local communities: In an effort to evaluate how our incomegenerating programs are affecting local communities, we partnered with Impact by Design to examine the economic, social and environmental impact of our programs in reducing the need to exploit forest resources. The results of this study highlight that our community programs have 1) positively impacted the communities by creating alternative and additional sources of income that have helped improve the economic wellbeing of their families, 2) empowered women by increasing their self-esteem, confidence and financial security, 3) offered opportunities for social interaction and exchange of idea between members of different communities, and 4) generated credibility in Proyecto Tití as an organization that can be trusted.

the importance of cotton-top tamarins as an endemic species of the Colombian Caribbean region and its Critically Endangered status. This was clearly reflected in the communities’ knowledge of the species, threats to its longterm survival and the actions needed to protect cotton-tops for the future.

Photo: Proyecto Tití

We were also able to identify some challenges that we intend to address and overcome in the future. This includes 1) expanding the scale and scope of these programs to benefit more people and more communities, 2) exploring new income alternatives, that address operational, logistical and administrative learnings from previous programs, and 3) continue to strengthen the connection between Proyecto Tití and community programs through added educational and social activities that build We were also able to confirm the success of on how communities can support cotton-top our outreach efforts to create awareness about tamarin conservation efforts.

INCREASED AWARENESS Photo: Proyecto Tití

ABOUT COTTON-TOPS

Cotton-top “Baqui”, symbol of the Colombian Caribbean Region Cotton-top tamarins were selected as the mascot for the Central American and Caribbean Games that were held in Barranquilla, in July 2018. We were so excited with the debut of “Baqui”, the mascot for the games. This costumed character travelled throughout the Caribbean region promoting the games and cotton-top tamarin conservation. Through Baqui’s public appearances, targeted social media campaigns and TV appearances we were able to reach new audiences, this helped increase, awareness and allowed us to share our conservation messages with millions of people in Colombia and around the world. As part of our brand research and communications effectiveness, we worked with IPSICON to survey the public regarding their knowledge of cotton-top tamarins. Preliminary results illustrate a significant increase in the recognition of cotton-tops as a flagship species for conservation in the Colombian Caribbean region following the introduction of “Baqui”. There was also an increase in understanding that cotton-top tamarins were a CriticallyEndangered species found only in Colombia and that the illegal pet trade has a negative impact on the future survival of cotton-tops. We were also very pleased to see greater brand recognition of Proyecto Tití and that the public view us as leading cotton-top tamarin conservation efforts.

Media We continue to leverage various media outlets to share our stories and engage the public. Our social media efforts to create awareness were positively impacted by the games, as illustrated by an increase of follower (Instagram-117%, Twitter-25%, and Facebook-13%) as well as an increase in interactions with @proyectotiti. Our digital outlets www.proyectotiti.com and our e-newsletter, Tití Tidbits continued to deliver monthly updates about our progress and accomplishments to our supporters, followers, partners and friends.

We Are Saving Cotton-tops: We produced a new 6-minute video that illustrates the different programs that are part of Proyecto Tití’s conservation efforts and this continues to receive positive public response as we share it on our various social media platforms. We also produced five 30-second videos to create targeted messages that can be shared on our social and digital platforms. See video here.

Awareness Opportunites: We continue to partner with international and national communications organizations in helping to share cotton-top tamarin conservation efforts with a broader audience. The Deutsche Welle (DW), UK BBC, and Señal Colombia channels visited Proyecto Tití to film and created stories to share with their audiences about cotton-tops. DW’s production was aired on their digital platforms in 2018, and the others will be aired in 2019. We so enjoy sharing our work directly with our supporters. We hosted more than 100 visitors who came to visit Proyecto Tití field programs and see firsthand the programs that are part of our success. But we also welcome the opportunity to share our conservation efforts at national and international events. We have participated in more than 20 events, sponsored by the National Geographic Learning in the Dominican Republic, Sea World & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund in Argentina and Perú, the Wildlife Conservation Expo in the United States of America, and academic and institutional conferences in Colombia. We were very pleased to host our annual conservation forum which focused on successful restoration efforts for primates and were thrilled to have our Brazilian colleagues from the Golden Lion Tamarin Association and the Institute of Ecological Research participate and share their experiences with the conference participants.

THANK YOU TO OUR

AMAZING DONORS! Our thanks to Disney for their continued support in helping to protect cotton-top tamarins and for providing opportunities for children and their families to be engaged with nature. We thank you for always sharing valuable knowledge and skills that have helped Proyecto Tití become the most successful conservation program in Colombia.

Tití Champions

We are also very thankful to the Wildlife Conservation Network for the dedication and support of our efforts to protect cotton-top tamarins. We are so very proud to be a WCN conservation partner and appreciate the unconditional support you provide to us through the expertise of your staff and volunteers.

A very special thank you to Hacienda El Ceibal for their continued support of our efforts to save cotton-top tamarins. Your dedication to conserving the protected area on your land is an example for landowners to follow. We are very thankful for our institutional agreement with CARDIQUE that demonstrates our joint commitment to cotton-top tamarin conservation efforts. It is this type of partnership between NGO’s and local environmental authorities that has led to major accomplishments on behalf of our organizations to conserve cotton-top tamarins and the forests of Colombia.

We are very greatful to the following organizations who contributed in 2018 to our conservation efforts on behalf of cotton-top tamarins and their forest home:

Tití Leaders

Tití Partners

Tití Supporters

Thanks to the following organizations for their support: Boras Zoo, Central Florida Zoological Park, Chester Zoo, Ellen Trout Zoo, Friends of Paradise Wildlife Park, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, Lake Superior Zoo, Parco Faunistico Le Cornelle, Parco Natura Viva, Parque Zoologico Lagos, Shaldon Wildlife Trust, Skansen Aquarium, Utica Zoo and Zoo Amiens.

OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION We so appreciate our local conservation partners who are part of a collaborative effort to save cotton-top tamarins in Colombia.

We also would like to thank all those individuals who made donations or purchased our products that support local communities dedication to protect cotton-tops. Many thanks to AmazonSmile and Facebook users who support our efforts through their donations. We appreciate all the people who have donated their time and experience to our program, especially Dave Wehdeking, DVM, who shares his veterinary expertise with us and Miranda Stevenson, our amazing EAZA Zoo ambassador.We also thank the talented photographers who have donated images so that we can show the world the beauty of cotton-tops and their forest home.

Thanks to all the people and organizations that have supported our work throughout the years (www.proyectotiti.com/en-us/About/Meet-the-Partners) Your generosity makes it possible to conserve cotton-tops in Colombia!

FINANCIAL REPORT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SUMMARY*

1% 2%

INCOME $492,927 93% $11,097 2% $5,979 1%

Donations/Grants: Product Sales: Financial: Contracts (Forest Connectivity Project): $13,261 2% Other: $9,040 2% TOTAL INCOME: $532,304 100% (Less cost of sales: - $7,829)

Field Research: Forest Restoration: Education: Community: Administration:

EXPENSES $120,307 $108,419 $121,960 $82,656 $55,975

INCOME 93%

25% 22% 25% 17% 11%

Donations/Grants Other

TOTAL EXPENSES $489,318 100% SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR $ 13,373 (After depreciation and taxes)

11%

Product Sales

Financial

Contracts (Forest Connectivity Project)

EXPENSES

25%

17%

25% Exchange rate used: $ 1 USD = $2,800 Colombian Pesos*

Field Research Community

22% Forest Restoration Administration

Education

THANK YOU

PROYECTO TITÍ TEAM! BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anne Savage, Ph.D., President Gustavo Bell Reinaldo Niebles Roberto Arazo, Fiscal Advisor STAFF Rosamira Guillen, Executive Director Johanna Vega, Subdirector of Operations Luis Soto, Conservation Programs Advisor Mónica Pinillos, Head of Administrative and Accounting Carolina Yudex, Administrative and Accounting Assistant Dayana Pérez, Administrative Intern Carolina Chinchilla, Marketing and communications Coordinator Alix Mora, Marketing Assistant Francy Forero, Field Biologist Leidy García, Field Biologist Germán Emeris, Field Assistant Juan Barrios, Field Biologist Luis González, Field Assistant Rodrigo Rodríguez, Field Assistant Cristian Vásquez, Field Assistant Aldair Luna, Field Assistant Carlos Yepes, Field Assistant Jeisson Castro, Field Biologist Félix Medina, Field Assistant Jeisson Medina, Field Assistant Leysthen Díaz, Community Programs Coordinator Alfredo Martínez, Community Programs Coordinator Katherine Torregroza, Education Programs Coordinator Ana Meléndez, Education Programs Assistant Bertha Osorio, Education Programs Assistant Johana Pasión, Education Programs Coordinator Rosa Rodríguez, Education Programs Assistant Fanny González, Education Programs Assistant

CONSULTANTS Mery Narváez, Work Safety and Health Adviser Trudis Ibarra, Human Resources Adviser

advice for our operations, and who work tirelessly to raise the funds and support we need to secure a long-term future for cotton-top tamarins and their forest home. We are so proud of this passionate, optimistic, self-motivated and committed team who give their heart and soul each and every day to cotton-top tamarin conservation efforts. We are successful because of their efforts and your generous donations and support. A HEART-FELT THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE HELPED CREATE A POSITIVE FUTURE FOR COTTON-TOPS IN COLOMBIA.

Photo: Proyecto TitĂ

Here are the people that give their very best, day after day, to protect cotton-top tamarins and their forest home. These are the faces of dedicated individuals who track the cotton-tops in their forest home and take copious field notes documenting the lives in the forest, who educate students about cottontop tamarin and forest conservation, who mentor and work with local communities in the development of the income generating activities, who market our community products, who painstaking plant the seeds and nurture them until they are big enough to be planted in our restoration areas, who evaluate our programs, who administer and manage our operations and human resources, who provide guidance and

Photo: Diego Fuentealba

FUNDACIÓN PROYECTO TITÍ Calle 77 # 65 – 37, Local 208, Barranquilla – Colombia Phone / Fax: (5) 309 1270 – info@proyectotiti.com

www.proyectotiti.com Executive Director: Rosamira Guillen Monroy rguillen@proyectotiti.com - Mobile: 310 636 0639 Social Media: @proyectotiti