Photo: Yellow-rumped Cacique, Ad Konings via iNaturalist
Rita Peralta
It’s not all about the birds for me. My connection is with nature in general, an all-encompassing love and passion for Pachamama, Mother Earth in the Aymara language of my ancestors.
I spent my early childhood sheltered from the dry, harsh climate in the high plateau of El Alto, Bolivia, escaping on weekend family trips to the lush lowlands of Los Yungas and valleys of Cochabamba. My brother and I would release our energy running around making the large hibiscus shrubs, vines, and irrigation fields filled with toads our playground. My mother pointed out the leaf-cutter ants marching on the forest floor, which she told us she followed as a child, in awe of their soldierly efficiency.
Yellow-rumped Cacique, Ad Konings via iNaturalist
The beautiful bird songs in the early morning were our wake-up call, a new day to explore! My mom would point to the ‘wichi’ bird that would visit the fruit trees in the backyard, telling us about its beautiful songs and intricate nests. Recently, I found out the ‘wichi’ is the yellow-rumped cacique, an excellent weaver, building hanging, pouch-shaped nests.
My time before leaving Bolivia was brief but rich with connection to nature. I recall the sweet and complex tastes of ripe fruit in season: cherimoya, prickly pear, banana passionfruit, pacay, and many others. For a time, we depended on rain for water and learned about stormwater management through necessity. When we set roots in Virginia my family continued to seek ways to find nature. We enjoyed picnics in parks, camping trips, and hikes.
Nature is not apart, but a part of who I am and how I was raised. It is that understanding that has steered me to a career in nature and preserving it, because that’s how we preserve our own life history. ASNV champions these ideals with programs like Audubon at Home and advocating for the recognition of nature, through birds, in the laws that are passed. So, when I was asked to join the board, I knew that I had to say yes. It’s not easy: I have a full-time job and many other responsibilities within my family and community, but it is important to share my voice and perspective with an established community of conservationists.
I’ve now been part of the board for more than a year and am involved with the Community Engagement committee, serving as interim chair since June 2023. This is an exciting time to be part of ASNV. As we work to ‘Stretch our Parks’ I can’t help but think of a time when we all might see ourselves as a part of nature.