AMBASSADOR SHOWCASES ASUNCIONS BIODIVERSITY,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001324

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC
ALSO FOR EB/IEC
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR BETH LEIER
USAID FOR AA/LAC ADOLFO FRANCO
TREASURY FOR OSIA MAUREEN WAFER
COMMERCE ITA SARAH COOK
NSC FOR MIKE DEMPSEY
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD
US SOUTHERN COMMAND MIAMI, FLORIDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD ECON PA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SHOWCASES ASUNCIONS BIODIVERSITY,
PROMOTES ECO-TOURISM

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Summary
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1. On Oct. 6, Ambassador hosted members of local
conservation organization Guyra Paraguay, along with
environmentalists, businesspeople and media representatives
to observe the wealth of flora and fauna contained within
the 10-acre Embassy compound. The event featured the debut
of two fold-out guides entitled Birds of the U.S. Embassy
Gardens and Birds of Asuncion, which each guest received
upon arrival. Guests participated in a bird-watching tour
of the compound followed by a presentation on the types of
birds and plants present in the Embassy gardens. The
event, which also highlighted the potential for bird-
watching tourism, and the guides continue to generate
significant interest in the local community. End Summary.

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Embassy as Bird Sanctuary
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2. The October 6 Biodiversity Event took place in two
segments. A selected number of guests were invited to a
6:30 a.m. bird-watching tour within the Residence gardens.
Aiding them were trained staff from local birdlife
conservation group Guyra Paraguay, together with a recently
published pamphlet entitled The Birds of the U.S. Embassy
Gardens. Guyra Paraguay published the fold-out guides
with support from the Embassy, and they are designed to
ed to
educate Embassy staff and visitors about the more than 60
species of birds that inhabit the compound. The Embassy
also assisted with the publication of a companion guide
entitled Birds of Asuncion, which was also distributed to
guests. The format of the newly-published guides enabled
guests to note which species of birds they spotted as they
walked through the garden. Among those invited for the
bird-watching portion of the event were representatives of
both the national and municipals governments, local
environmental NGOs, journalists from local media outlets
and private reserve and land owners interested in wildlife
conservation.

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Capitalizing on Asuncions Biodiversity
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3. Ambassador welcomed the birdwatchers and additional
guests to the 8:00 a.m. portion of the event by commenting
on Asuncions rich variety of wildlife. Referring to the
Embassys wealth of bird species, he remarked: These birds
birds
and hundreds of species more are seen in and around the
city of Asuncion, which must make it one of the most
diverse cities for avifauna in the world. Ambassador said
that he hopes that local journalists will help to spread
the word about Asuncions botanical wealth in trees and
other plants, which create habitats for the many types of
birds that inhabit the city. He noted that both the
habitats and the avifauna can be enjoyed not only by
Asuncions residents but by tourists, and that bird
watching tourism is a major income earner for a number of
countries, including Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica.


4. Staff for Guyra Paraguay presented guests with
presentations focused on the birds and plants of the
Embassy gardens. They noted Asuncions unique geographic
position in the bend of the Paraguay River, and that the
trees along most of the citys streets create unique
corridors for bird movement and observation. They pointed
to the Bay of Asuncion as an important stopover point for
for
birds migrating from the north and south of the Continent.
The event concluded with a round of applause for Guyras
guides, and for the Embassys chief groundskeeper, whose
staff continues to refine the Missions gardens.

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Sharing Paraguays Biodiversity
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5. The Biodiversity Event received coverage in the local
media, and Guyra hopes to maintain interest by distributing
copies of the new bird guides to approximately 50 local
NGOs, as well as copies to approximately 300 schools within
the municipality of Asuncion. Guyra plans to make staff
available for school presentations about plants and
birdlife within the city. The organization is also in
communication with tourism officials regarding
opportunities to market Asuncion as an ecotourism
destination.

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Comment
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6. Posts biodiversity event presented a unique opportunity
to unite a diverse group of participants, all of whom
whom
believe in the benefits of preserving Asuncions natural
heritage. For conservationists, the Embassy gardens
represent an example of the types of green spaces that can
be preserved within a city setting. Guyra Paraguays staff
remain grateful for the added attention their organization
received under posts auspices. For local hoteliers and
businesspeople, the citys rich plant and birdlife
represent an untapped resource capable of attracting
tourists, an added incentive to support Guyra and other
local environmental conservation efforts.
KEANE
ANE