One of the questions I am asked most often is, “What gives you hope?” After more than three decades working to protect the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin and its tropical forest home in Colombia, I have learned that conservation is not just about protecting animals or restoring forests. It is about people—inspiring the next generation to care about nature and empowering them to become part of the solution. That is why one of my favorite moments each year is seeing the excitement on the faces of children in our conservation education programs when they receive something very small, but incredibly important: a seed.
At Proyecto Tití, we believe conservation education should go far beyond teaching facts about wildlife and forests. Learning is important, but real change happens when knowledge becomes action. When children have the opportunity to do something tangible for conservation, they begin to understand that they have the power to make a difference. This idea is at the heart of our CARTITILLA conservation education program. At the beginning of each semester, students receive native tree seeds to care for at home. Their assignment sounds simple enough: plant the seeds, water them, protect them, and help them grow. But anyone who has ever tried to grow a tree from a seed knows that it is not always easy. Seeds require patience. They require attention. They require commitment. Sometimes they germinate quickly, and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they need more water, and sometimes less. Sometimes unexpected challenges arise. Caring for a seed teaches children that growth takes time and that positive change requires dedication.
This semester, our nursery team distributed seeds of the white ceiba tree, also known as the milk tree (Hura crepitans), a native species that plays an important role in the forests where cotton-top tamarins live. The seeds were distributed to 219 CARTITILLA students in San Juan Nepomuceno, with each child receiving three seeds to care for at home. We also kept additional seeds in reserve because experience has taught us that not every seed will survive. Some may be lost, damaged, or simply fail to germinate. As expected, some students encountered challenges during the first weeks. To support their efforts, we provided an additional 135 seeds to children whose original seeds had been lost, damaged, or had not sprouted.
What happened next was inspiring. Throughout the semester, many students embraced the responsibility of caring for their seeds. They asked their Tití Maestras for advice about watering and planting techniques. They searched for suitable places around their homes where the seedlings could thrive. They carefully monitored their plants and proudly shared updates about their growth. For many of these children, this was their first experience nurturing a living plant from seed to seedling. It became more than a school assignment—it became a personal commitment.
Today, we are celebrating the results of their dedication. Because of the care and perseverance of these young conservationists, 181 healthy white ceiba trees are now growing and will soon be ready to be planted during future restoration activities in our reserve. When I hear that number—181 trees—it would be easy to focus only on the statistic. But conservation is never just about numbers. Each of those trees tells a story. Each tree represents a child who chose to take responsibility for something larger than themselves. Each seedling reflects countless small actions: watering, observing, protecting, and patiently waiting. Each one represents a young person who learned that their actions matter. And perhaps most importantly, each tree represents hope. In the years ahead, these white ceiba trees will become part of the forest landscape. They will provide shade, shelter, and resources for wildlife.
They will contribute to healthier ecosystems and help strengthen habitat for countless species that depend on Colombia’s tropical dry forest. For the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin, every tree matters. As Proyecto Tití continues to protect existing forests, connect fragmented habitats, and restore degraded areas, these young trees will become part of a larger vision: creating more forest for cotton-top tamarins and the incredible biodiversity that shares their home. But there is another reason these seedlings are so important. While the trees themselves will grow in the forest, something equally valuable is growing in the children who cared for them. Through this experience, they learn that conservation is not something that happens far away or is left to scientists and environmental organizations. They discover that they can be active participants in protecting nature. They learn that even small actions can contribute to meaningful change.
I often say that children are some of the most powerful agents of change in conservation. When a child becomes excited about protecting wildlife, they share that enthusiasm with siblings, parents, grandparents, and neighbors. They bring conservation messages into their homes and communities. They ask questions. They challenge old assumptions. They inspire others to think differently about the natural world. Their influence extends far beyond the classroom. That is why environmental education is such a critical part of Proyecto Tití’s conservation strategy. Protecting forests and wildlife today is essential, but ensuring a sustainable future requires inspiring the people who will make decisions tomorrow. Every seed we distribute represents an opportunity to nurture both a tree and a conservation ethic. Every seedling reminds us that lasting change often begins with something small. And every child who successfully grows a tree helps demonstrate an important truth: conservation is not only about saving species.
It is about building a future where people understand their connection to nature and are willing to take action to protect it. As I look at these 181 young ceiba trees, I am reminded once again why I remain optimistic about the future. Hope is not something we simply wait for. Hope is something we grow. This semester, 181 children helped plant that hope—one seed at a time.