ORANJESTAD— Aruba Birdlife Conservation (ABC) will host the First International Burrowing Owl Conservation Conference from September 7–10, 2026, at JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. The historic gathering will bring local and international researchers, conservationists, government representatives, educators, tourism partners and other stakeholders together around one urgent purpose: securing a future for Aruba’s endemic Burrowing Owl, the Shoco.
The Shoco (Athene cunicularia arubensis) occurs nowhere else in the world. Recognized as a national symbol of Aruba since 2012, it remains under growing pressure from habitat loss, development, vehicle strikes, free-roaming dogs and cats, poisoning and disturbance. Current estimates indicate that only about 200 breeding pairs remain on the island.
“This conference is about turning knowledge into protection,” said Greg Peterson, Chairman of Aruba Birdlife Conservation. “The Shoco is part of Aruba’s identity, but its survival cannot be taken for granted. By bringing science, government, conservation, education and the private sector together, we can strengthen the practical work needed to protect the Shoco and the land on which it depends.”
A conference rooted in long-term conservation work
The conference grows out of years of collaboration between ABC and the Global Owl Project, led by the late international owl expert David H. Johnson. Johnson worked on owl research and conservation in more than 40 countries and became a close friend of Aruba and a driving force behind the island’s Shoco conservation program. He passed away on June 15, 2026. The conference will honor his life and legacy; its final day, September 10, would have been his birthday.
That partnership helped move Shoco conservation from concern to action. Its work includes scientific research and field monitoring; the introduction of specially designed artificial burrows; the establishment of Aruba’s first Shoco Sanctuary; artificial burrows at schools and other locations across the island; the Shoco Ambassador training program for the hospitality sector; and the community-based Barrio di Shoco initiative. More than 60 artificial burrows had been installed by late 2024, with a long-term ambition to expand the network substantially wherever suitable, protected habitat can be secured.
From international science to action on Aruba
Across four days, guest speakers and local experts will share research, field experience and lessons from Burrowing Owl conservation. Discussions will address the Shoco’s unique status, ecology and behavior; threats to nesting and feeding habitat; rescue and rehabilitation of injured birds; artificial burrow programs; monitoring and research; public education; and the roles of government, communities and the tourism sector.
The conference will also provide a platform to deepen cooperation among researchers and Aruban institutions. Its aim is not simply to exchange information, but to strengthen a coordinated, long-term conservation effort—one that protects existing habitat, supports responsible development, expands public participation and ensures that research leads to measurable action in the field.
The opening program on September 7 is expected to include an address by the Prime Minister of Aruba, underscoring the national importance of safeguarding the Shoco and Aruba’s wider natural heritage.
Tourism and conservation working together
JOIA Aruba by Iberostar is hosting the conference. ABC’s wider Shoco conservation work has also demonstrated the value of sustained cooperation with the private sector, including partnerships with Iberostar, Marriott and Bucuti & Tara. These collaborations show how Aruba’s tourism industry can help protect the natural character that makes the island distinctive—through habitat protection, staff education, conservation infrastructure and support for community awareness.
Protecting the Shoco protects more than one bird. It safeguards the dry landscapes, nesting grounds and ecological connections that sustain Aruba’s biodiversity. It also affirms a simple principle: economic progress and the protection of Aruba’s natural heritage must advance together.
Conference information
Event: First International Burrowing Owl Conservation Conference
Dates: September 7–10, 2026
Venue: JOIA Aruba by Iberostar
Organizer: Aruba Birdlife Conservation
Attendance: Please contact us through the burrowingowl.infosite and conference information can be attained at https://www.burrowingowl.info/
Special local rates are available for Aruba residents.
About Aruba Birdlife Conservation
Aruba Birdlife Conservation is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection of Aruba’s wild birds and the habitats on which they depend. Active since before 2000 and formally established in 2011, ABC combines advocacy, legal protection, scientific cooperation, education, community engagement and practical conservation projects. Its work helped secure enhanced legal recognition for the Shoco in 2012 and has contributed to the protection of important natural areas throughout Aruba.
