A new conservation initiative aimed at strengthening the protection of the Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis), Dominica’s national bird, has recently been launched in the country.

The project, entitled “Sisserou Conservation with Civil Society (SCCS),” is implemented in collaboration between the Dominican environmental organization EcoBalance Inc. and the regional conservation NGO Caribaea Initiative, with support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), in coordination with the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division of Dominica.

The Imperial Amazon, locally known as the Sisserou, is endemic to Dominica and is classified as Critically Endangered. Despite significant conservation efforts over the past decades, the species remains highly vulnerable due to climate change, habitat degradation, and potential conflicts with agricultural activities.

The SCCS project aims to strengthen conservation efforts through several complementary actions, including improving knowledge about the species, involving civil society in monitoring and conservation activities, and developing awareness initiatives to foster greater public understanding and engagement in protecting Dominica’s emblematic parrot.

A key component of the project focuses on strengthening collaboration with farmers, educational institutions, and community organizations across Dominica. The initiative will also contribute to the development of a long-term conservation strategy for the Imperial Amazon, helping to guide protection efforts in the years ahead.

The project will include training activities, community outreach, and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, farmers, local organizations, and public institutions.

By strengthening cooperation between local communities, civil society organizations, and conservation experts, the initiative aims to support the long-term protection of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic bird species.