Vision

Parrots and all wild animals should be free from harmful impacts of human behaviors. As long as humans continue to desire parrots as pets, and purchase and cage them, the exploitative cycle of trapping, selling, and declining populations, will continue. We envision a world where: • Humans no longer view all parrots as pets to keep in cages • All parrots fly and live free as the wild animals they are • Humans connect strongly to their own animal origins and to nature, being curious about the needs of parrots (and the people who live with them) so they may change their behavior • Humans connect strongly to the understanding of interconnecting harm brought on by domination and oppression and they seek to change their behavior. • Marginalized peoples can find better economic opportunity and more personal fulfillment from the protection of parrots than poaching of them. Choice, voice, solidarity, and empowerment are central tenets in their communities.

Goals

1. 1.Continue to support our parrot conservation partners in the field as they work to protect their native parrots. Our projects in six Central and South American countries decrease the wildlife trade, protect biodiversity, improve animal welfare, and empower Indigenous and other marginalized communities by addressing core oppressions of domination and inequality.
2. 2.About 4 years ago, OEC developed a novel method of starting new projects by offering online Parrot Conservation Corps (PCC) trainings, in English and Spanish, to teach people about our conservation methods and create mini teams to sprout new projects. The PCC impacts declining parrot populations by changing people’s attitudes and providing conservationists with new skills and knowledge.
3. 3.We are founding members of the International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots, a partnership of rescue and conservation organizations, veterinarians and activists working to end the global trade in parrots via education, advocacy, legislation and activism.