CARTITILLA

What Is the CARTITILLA?

When Proyecto Tití first began working in local communities, we found that few people knew what a cotton-top tamarin was—many didn’t realize it was found only in Colombia or that it was critically endangered. Without awareness, there could be no motivation to protect it. In the early years, we created a few educational modules to raise awareness, but as the need for more structured outreach grew, we partnered with the education team at the Barranquilla Zoo to develop a fully integrated classroom program—the CARTITILLA. Originally designed for urban students and later adapted for rural communities near cotton-top habitat, the program uses engaging lessons, stories, and activities to teach children about cotton-top tamarins and how they can protect them. A key feature is the colorful workbook, filled with crafts and stories, which is especially meaningful in areas where children rarely have books of their own. Students proudly take the books home, sharing what they’ve learned with their families and practicing their reading by retelling stories to siblings—extending both conservation awareness and literacy beyond the classroom. Through the CARTITILLA program, Proyecto Tití is fostering a culture of conservation rooted in pride, knowledge, and community action.

Inspiring Curiosity and Conservation

What Students Learn

The CARTITILLA program is designed for students in grades 7–9 (ages 13–15) and is taught collaboratively by Proyecto Tití educators and classroom teachers in our three conservation impact areas. Over the course of 8 weeks, students participate in 90-minute weekly sessions, each aligned with a chapter in the CARTITILLA workbook. Every lesson includes four engaging components:

1. A written story with vivid illustrations to introduce the week’s theme,
2. A fact section reinforcing key conservation messages,
3. Games and puzzles that encourage critical thinking, and
4. An art project or activity that deepens emotional connection to the topic.

To assess the program’s effectiveness, we also evaluate students’ knowledge and their intent to engage in conservation actions that help protect cotton-top tamarins. These evaluations help us understand how the program influences attitudes and behaviors, and guide future improvements.

The lessons are structured to build knowledge, promote empathy, and inspire action. Topics include:

1. Just Like Us – Highlights the similarities between cotton-top tamarins and humans to foster emotional connection.
2. Everything is Connected - Examines what happens to people and animals when the forest is destroyed
3. How Many Cotton-Tops Are Left? – Examines population estimates and the impact of the pet trade.
4. Cotton-Tops Can’t Live Anywhere Else – Teaches that cotton-top tamarins are uniquely adapted to Colombia’s tropical dry forests.
5. Protectors of the Forest – Describes how tamarins contribute to forest health through seed dispersal and pollination.
6. Cotton-top Tamarins are Not Pets: – Explains what it means to be critically endangered and showcases artisan-made plush toys as a creative conservation solution.
7. Conserve Rather Than Restore – Emphasizes the importance of protecting remaining forest rather than relying solely on restoration.
8. Celebrating Our Natural Heritage – Positions the cotton-top tamarin as a symbol of national pride and a flagship species for conservation in Colombia.

Together, these lessons not only deepen students’ understanding of cotton-top tamarins and their environment, but also empower them to become conservation ambassadors in their communities.

FOSTERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS

Proyecto Tití’s CARTITILLA program has proven to be a powerful tool for increasing both knowledge and conservation action among students. Post-program evaluations showed that students gained a significantly better understanding of cotton-top tamarins, their critically endangered status, and how human behaviors can either harm or help the species. Importantly, the program goes beyond education—it cultivates pro-conservation attitudes and behaviors.

Five years after participating in the program, students continued to demonstrate strong support for conservation, with many reporting daily actions they take to protect cotton-top tamarins. These included not littering, avoiding wild pets, reusing paper, and promoting conservation messages to reduce deforestation. 

The program’s lasting influence is tied to its storytelling approach and its use of strategies that foster emotional connection, perspective-taking, and a sense of control over conservation outcomes. These educational techniques have been shown to empower students to believe their actions matter.

In short, CARTITILLA doesn't just teach students about cotton-top tamarins—it inspires real-world behaviors that contribute to their protection, helping build a generation of conservation-minded citizens in Colombia.

Aligned With Our Mission

The CARTITILLA program plays a central role in advancing Proyecto Tití’s long-term goal of creating a culture of conservation through education. By engaging middle school students with dynamic lessons, emotional storytelling, and hands-on activities, the program builds awareness, fosters empathy, and inspires action to protect cotton-top tamarins and their habitat. It not only teaches the ecological importance of this critically endangered primate but also empowers students to see themselves as agents of change in their communities.

CARTITILLA is part of a comprehensive education strategy that includes other impactful initiatives like the TITI SHOW, a traveling show that uses humor and storytelling to share conservation messages with younger audiences. It also complements community events and local celebrations, where cotton-top tamarins are prominently featured through art, music, costumes, and performances. Additionally, cotton-tops are integrated into school-wide events, such as Earth Day, reinforcing their significance across various educational and cultural settings.

Together, these efforts create multiple, reinforcing touchpoints that deepen understanding and pride in Colombia’s unique biodiversity. By making cotton-top tamarins a symbol of national and cultural identity, Proyecto Tití is successfully nurturing a lasting commitment to conservation across generations.

Download the Cartilla in Spanish