To my daughter, born in a changing world: The unsung heroes who shaped the future of the blue jay

This is Bill Weir’s fourth letter on Earth Day to his young son. His new book, “Life As We Know it (Can Be),” is available now in stores.

Dear River,

This is your fourth Earth Day, and a lot has changed during your short time here. What began as a day to express anger and regret has now become a collection of ideas and solutions for a better future.

Despite the progress, there are still challenging times ahead. As someone who cares deeply about animals, I hesitate to tell you how many of your favorite creatures are facing the threat of extinction.

So many things have happened recently that I wake up feeling amazed rather than anxious. When disasters occur, I recall the wise words of Mister Rogers, who advised to look for the helpers during scary events on TV. He always said, "There are always helpers."

Although technology can sometimes create division when used by those lacking empathy, it also has the power to unite helpers in ways that can protect entire ecosystems.

So, on this Earth Day, kiddo, let’s focus on a win.

As River Weir has grown, Bill has been collecting stories of hope, resilience and Earth repair to share with him.

As River Weir has grown, Bill has been collecting stories of hope, resilience and Earth repair to share with him.

Courtesy of Bill Weir

I came across an inspiring Earth repair success story in South America. It involves a family of small monkeys with fluffy white hair. These monkeys were happily eating fruit and nectar, leaping through the treetops when we made eye contact.

As I observed these creatures through my camera lens, I couldn't help but think, "You little monkeys are truly fortunate."

Cotton-top tamarins, also known as titis, are a rare species found in the dwindling forests of northwest Colombia. Despite their declining population, the family I encountered is considered one of the most protected in the world. This is due to the dedicated efforts of a woman who lovingly watches over them on the ground, a team of hundreds who monitor them from above through satellite technology, and a series of fortunate events that have contributed to their safety and well-being.

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Preserving a rare and elusive creature

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The destiny of the titis took a positive turn when Rosamira Guillen, a woman I encountered in the jungle who later became a landscape architect, got a job to assist in constructing a zoo in Barranquilla. It was during this time that she developed a deep affection for the cotton-topped titi monkeys. "I mean, how could you not?" Rosamira Guillen chuckled, pointing upwards towards the family of titis above.

She discovered that the illegal pet trade and slash-and-burn cattle ranching were causing the extinction of a species unique to Colombia, her home country. Instead of focusing on building zoos, she shifted her architect mind towards restoring forests.

River quickly realized that this task couldn't be accomplished by simply dropping seeds from drones. It required hard work with shovels, sweat, and a deep understanding of the ecology on a acre-by-acre basis. Community involvement, youth education, and economic development were also essential to ensure that the titi's human neighbors didn't resort to deforestation and poaching for survival.

To ensure the survival of the remaining gene pool, she needed to connect fragmented habitat and secure land. However, this required the cooperation of cattle ranchers who did not have the same appreciation for the toy-sized primates she was trying to protect.

While driving over bumpy dirt roads in her old pickup truck, she expressed her preference for spending time with monkeys in the forest rather than interacting with people. She also explained how reckless deforestation could disrupt water cycles and lead to ecosystem collapse.

Rosamira Guillen works to rebuild the forest for cotton-top tamarins.

Julian Quinones/CNN

The illegal pet trade and slash-and-burn cattle ranching drove the titi to the brink of extinction.

Julian Quinones/CNN

In a place like Colombia, where there are numerous challenges, it is important to remember that damaging the forest will have negative consequences for everyone. Despite this, the ranchers often have a different perspective, seeing conservation efforts as idealistic and impractical.

However, Rosamira remained determined to make a difference. In her quest for financial support, she crossed paths with an American conservationist named Charlie Knowles.

Charlie, the descendant of the family that created small microphones for various iconic purposes, transitioned into software development and achieved financial independence by the age of 34. Despite his success, he was inspired by biologist Laurie Marker's story of sacrificing everything to protect cheetahs in Namibia. However, he felt he lacked the necessary skills for such a noble cause.

Reflecting on his strengths, Charlie pondered, "What am I truly good at? Hosting gatherings and fundraising."

Charlie's first party, featuring a borrowed cheetah from a petting zoo, raised $5,000. Frustrated by the lack of transparency in nature philanthropy, he teamed up with like-minded individuals from Silicon Valley to make a difference.

Alongside Akiko Yamazaki and John Lukas, Charlie co-founded the Wildlife Conservation Network. Instead of asking donors to blindly trust the process, WCN aimed to revolutionize the world of animal conservation by creating venture capital opportunities for creatures like the titi monkey and advocates like Rosamira.

They established expos to bring together wealthy philanthropists in American suburbs with conservationists who have proven track records in wilderness restoration. These events aimed to assist individuals in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of their projects, often leading them to broaden their initial goals.

"I can see why you fell in love with these little guys," Bill said. "Oh, yeah," Rosamina replied, laughing. "I mean, how could you not?”

Julian Quinones/CNN

More than 20 years later, Charlie informs me that WCN is currently backing hundreds of projects globally, receiving high praises from renowned figures like Jane Goodall and achieving a rare flawless rating of 100 from Charity Navigator.

One generous donation of a million dollars supported the education of over 200 children in conservation studies through scholarships. Another donor took the initiative to personally install more than 50 solar power systems in various locations worldwide. Additionally, a significant turning point occurred for the titis at an expo in 2006, when the Vargas family made a positive impact.

Chris Vargas, a successful tech entrepreneur with a passion for wildlife conservation, asked his 12-year-old daughter Kira to interview all the conservationists at the expo. He wanted to make sure he was getting the most value for his money.

During the drive home, Chris asked Kira who her favorite conservationist was. He shared that his favorite was Rosamira, whom he admired for her energy, passion, purpose, and ingenuity. Without hesitation, Kira revealed that Rosamira was also her favorite. They shared a high five in agreement.

For 18 years, the Vargas family had been supporting Rosamira in her efforts to restore her part of Colombia, one tree at a time. However, when she required $1.2 million to purchase almost 1,000 acres of nearby ranchland, Chris realized they needed more assistance.

So, they came up with an idea - why not create a website and develop a technology that allows anyone from around the world to choose an acre, ten acres, or even fifty acres on a map? This way, people could see exactly what their money was achieving and the impact it was making.

Combining the eyes of a satellite and the hearts of nature lovers, Chris began an experiment in crowdsourced conservation he called ReWorld.

Project Titi protects and restores the forest habitat of cotton-top tamarins in Colombia.

Julian Quinones/CNN

Bill plants a tree on behalf of his children, River and Olivia.

Julian Quinones/CNN

For just a single donation of about $1,200, he made a pledge to restore two-and-a-half acres of damaged Colombian forest, ensuring its protection for the titis forever. Donors would have the opportunity to track the progress of their contribution through live satellite images, witnessing their plot transform from barren scrub brush and soil into lush greenery resembling broccoli tops from above.

After watching the cotton-topped titis, I joined Rosamira's team to plant a tree in honor of you and Olivia in a shady gully by the river. When I shared the story of the titis on CNN, generous supporters came forward to help purchase the ranch.

I'm happy to report that Rosamira finalized the paperwork today.

"It can take a whole day to clear a hectare of forest," she explained as we walked through her plantings and entered a well-kept greenhouse. "But to restore it, it can take up to 20 years."

So, what's next? Charlie and Chris are looking to the developed world to establish reliable carbon and biodiversity credit markets to support initiatives like Project Titi, even though they acknowledge that it will be quite challenging.

When the days feel dark, I find comfort in thinking about the helpers who came together to give nearly 1,000 acres of forest to the titis. It makes me think about all the other places that could use some love and care.

Imagine what else could be achieved with more helpers on board.

Welcome to Call to Earth, a CNN editorial series dedicated to covering the environmental issues impacting our planet and the solutions being implemented. In partnership with Rolex's Perpetual Planet initiative, CNN is working to raise awareness and educate the public on important sustainability issues in order to encourage positive change.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the remarkable efforts of individuals who have dedicated their lives to protecting endangered species and restoring ecosystems. It is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and compassion. Rosamira Guillen's unwavering dedication to saving the cotton-top tamarins is an inspiration, and the collaboration between Charlie Knowles and Chris Vargas to create ReWorld demonstrates the potential of technology and crowdfunding to support conservation efforts.

The article also underscores the importance of community involvement and collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. The success of Project Titi is not only due to the efforts of a few individuals but also the support of donors from around the world. It shows that when people come together with a shared purpose, they can make a real difference in protecting our planet for future generations.