Current Projects

Parrots in Freedom, Beauty Returns There is currently an urgent need to highlight and educate the local population of the Copan Valley about the importance of the protection and conservation of the Scarlett Macaw. The Scarlett Macaw is the National Bird of Honduras (as declared in ¨segun decreto ejectuvio no. 36-39; emitado el 28 Junio de 1993) and was a sacred icon of the ancient Maya of Copan as its figure is repeatedly represented on many of the monuments in the Copan Ruinas Archeological Park. This representation is particularly evident in the ancient and famous Ball Court of Copan. “Parrots in Freedom, Beauty Returns”, is intended to reintroduce the Scarlett Macaw into the surrounding areas of the Copan Valley, where it once flew freely. The educational program funded by the Copan Maya Foundation begins in February, 2011. Teachers from thirty outlying village schools where risks of trapping and killing birds are the highest will participate in monthly seminars which include handout materials and culminate in an annual “Festival de Aves” or “Bird Festival” at Macaw Mountain Bird Reserve with children from all schools being invited. Education will change the current thinking of youth in the area which is to capture and sell the birds and develop an appreciation for an ecosystem where the Scarlett Macaw can be free and not a pet. This will ensure that a program exists in area schools with the materials to teach the conservation of the Scarlett Macaws. The “Festival of Guaras” will become an annual event. Donations for this project are welcome and if you need more information, please contact liz_copanmayayahoo.com

Casa K’inich Teachers’ Guidebook: This teachers’ guidebook helps Honduran teachers get the most out of their visit to Copan; available since 2005 a free PDF download in Spanish or English will be sent upon request by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or it can be downloaded off of the FAMSI website.  This manual is in the process of being re-written with additions that include the new exhibits in Casa K'inich inaugerated in March, 2008. Contributions from leaders in Maya research have made this unique and innovative resource available free to Honduran public school teachers and researchers.

Support to Honduran Students: Many Hondurans studying Maya-related topics at a university have scholarships but little income to augment their educational experiences with books, fieldwork and symposium. The foundation believes an educated Honduran presence is essential to the management and preservation of Copan and the rest of Honduran patrimony, so we offer support, but not scholarships to Honduran students studying topics that will help them care for Honduran national patrimony.