Conservation: A Sacred Act of Solidarity

Camp Solidarity, La Moskitia, Honduras: We camped here for two months protecting parrots and one another, and also began learning how to live in Solidarity

During our Solidarity Campaign in La Moskitia, Honduras a sacred moment occurred. By “sacred” I mean that it is something set apart from the ordinary and that it is profoundly worthy of respect. As in many sacred moments, it came upon us unexpected and unplanned.

In late April 2026, the members of the Solidarity Camp ventured out through fields and rivers to the base of an active scarlet macaw nest so that we could examine the two chicks in the nest and band them. By placing a steel band with a number on their legs we hope it provides them with some protection as the bands are difficult to remove. These bands also identify the bird if they end up in the illegal trade and, if confiscated, they can return to us, and hopefully their nests and parents.

One of our military protectors enjoys a chance to be close to the National Bird of his country, the scarlet macaw. This is one of two chicks we temporarily lowered from her nest so we could examine the chick and band her.

Many of the "Solidarists" in the group were from a Catholic commission, camping with the conservationists in solidarity. As we were about to place the bands on the birds I recalled how in my own tradition, Unitarian Universalism, I as a minister had often blessed wedding bands before the bride and groom placed them on each other’s hands.  These wedding bands are a promise of love and a symbol of a sacred promise, as are the bird bands. Musing on this I thought, “Why not?” Then, I turned to Padre Enrique Alagarda Nácher, the Catholic priest who led the contingent, and asked him to bless the bands (see video below). He didn’t even hesitate at the suggestion, and his blessing was a call to protect these chicks and to wish them freedom, and it was a deeply reverent time for those attending, who were mostly Catholic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7zdkETJNmI

In my own tradition, Unitarian Universalism, we are a diverse group of people who feel that we need not think alike to love alike, and that science and nature are paths to understanding the wonder and sacredness of nature. The band blessing was therefore perfect for me, because though we came from different traditions and beliefs, we were gathered in love and respect, and together we undertook scientific endeavors as we examined and measured the chicks. Science too is a sacred act, and for our conservation work, solidarity and solid science go hand-in-hand.

Banding the chicks: You can see the Unconditonal Solidarity tattoo on Dr. Joyner's arm. You can also see the bullet scars on Tomás Manzanares' arm. Tomás survived an assassination attempt when he tried to stop criminals who were stealing Indigenous land.

Solidarity is a sacred calling, an embodied response to the world, that transcends any one world view or theology. So many are responding to this call. Now at home, I feel a deep well of gratitude, even as the threats and challenges remain for the people and parrots of La Moskitia. For this reason, the Solidarity Campaign continues, which I undertake now remotely on behalf of Honduras, and more locally as the newly installed Community Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, South Carolina. 

Part of my ministry there is to help people connect to nature so that witness can be given and life can be guarded. Locally we do this with awareness activities, as well as Birding for Life walks. You can learn the importance of such walks, and how to do them on your own, in One Earth Conservation's recently published book, "Birding for Life."

Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner sharing a story with the Columbia, South Carolina congregation during a June service: "Birding for Life"

You can become part of our Solidarity work by joining the Solidarity Campaign or participating in a three part series on Solidarity starting in September 2026.

Solidarity: Do it for yourself and do it for life.