From Architect to Conservation Pioneer: Rosamira Guillén’s Mission to Save the Cotton-Top Tamarin
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, GlobalMindED is honored to spotlight the inspiring journey of Rosamira Guillén, a Colombian conservation leader whose life’s work has been dedicated to protecting one of the world’s rarest primates—the cotton-top tamarin. Originally trained as an architect and Fulbright Scholar, her career shifted after discovering these critically endangered monkeys in her hometown zoo. As co-founder and executive director of Fundación Proyecto Tití, she has spent nearly two decades leading efforts to restore forests, create sustainable livelihoods, and engage communities in protecting this unique species found only in northern Colombia. Her story reflects both a deep commitment to biodiversity and the belief that conservation and human well-being must go hand in hand.
Tell us about your personal journey.
I was originally trained as an architect. I was lucky to get a Fulbright Scholarship to obtain a Masters in Landscape Architecture in SUNY ESF in Syracuse (NY). Upon my return to Colombia, my first job was to redesign my home town zoo in Barranquilla (northern Colombia). That's when I saw and learned for the first time about cotton-top tamarins. The fact that they were only found in northern Colombia and learning that they were so endangered, motivated me to learn more and to do something about it. I was later appointed as the Zoo Director and chose cotton-tops as our flagship species to increase awareness about this unique and unknown primate. I learned about Proyecto Tití which was founded in the mid 80´s by Dr. Anne Savage, an American biologist who came to study the monkeys in the wild for her Ph.D. dissertation. We both co-founded Fundación Proyecto Tití in 2004 to lead the efforts to protect this species, and in 2008 I left the zoo and became the full time executive director of FPT. So it's been almost 18 years leading the efforts in Colombia. Over this time we have been able to increase awareness, protect forests, restore pastures into forests, and provide local communities better livelihoods and better alternatives to cutting trees and hunting cotton-tops for subsistence (See more details on our 2024 annual report). Cotton-tops are only found in a very little corner of northern Colombia; nowhere in the country or in the world. They are critically endangered as a result of extensive deforestation and of their capture for the illegal pet trade.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path and what drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
Learning that these little monkeys are only found in my country and in my region, and about to disappear from the wild, and I, having grown up here, never learned in school or anywhere about the species and its threats. I was determined to change that and working for Proyecto Tití has given me that opportunity. I was born and raised in a home where both my parents were teachers and they encouraged us to find our path that makes a difference, or contribute somehow to the welfare of humanity and/or of our country. I found my opportunity to do so with Proyecto Tití.
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned through your work?
The most valuable lesson is that people are willing to support conservation, only when their basic needs are met. It's hard to conserve a forest or a landscape if you or your family is hungry or struggling to make a decent living. That is why it is imperative that communities are part of any wildlife conservation initiative, for it to be successful. Also, conservation is not a matter of one organization or one person; it takes a village.....meaning, working in partnership is the best approach; working in partnership with communities, with local schools, with authorities, with the private sector.....we can achieve more if we work together. We should make conservation relevant to all stakeholders, tapping on their main interests and finding common grounds to build these partnerships.
What are your highest hopes for democracy to unite, uplift, and inspire?
Democracy is based on respect for the people, at all levels of all kinds, for rights and responsibilities. We all need healthy ecosystems to guarantee our health and welfare. So it should be of everyone's interest to care for the planet and to do something about it from where they stand. I think we have great leaders and role models in nature and wildlife conservation that have inspired us to do something to make a difference. That's what we try to do in our local context; show that we can find a balance between the needs of wildlife and the needs of people, and thus support a harmonic relationship between nature and humans. We truly believe it is possible and that is what we work for.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
As a non profit organization, Fundación Proyecto Tití works with the kindness and generosity of many people and organizations around the planet who trust and support our conservation efforts. You can donate to our cause, or share content on our social media to help us make our work visible and motivate people to support us (See details on our 2024 annual report).
Contact Rosamira Guillén and learn more about Fundación Proyecto Tití
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