Noticias

Photo: Asociación Calidris / White-faced whistling duck – Dendrocygna viduata

Santiago de Cali, October 10, 2024

Colombia is the home to one of the planet’s greatest natural treasures: 32% of the Tropical Andes Hotspot lies within its borders. This term refers to one of the world’s most biodiverse yet threatened regions, spanning the Andes from Venezuela to northern Argentina. There are 36 Hotspots globally, each consisting of biodiversity corridors. In Colombia, alongside the Tropical Andes, there is also the Chocó-Darien Hotspot.

The Value of the Tropical Andes Hotspot in Colombia       

The Tropical Andes Hotspot contains 11 biodiversity corridors, with the southwestern portion located in Colombia’s western mountain range. Two essential biodiversity corridors in this zone are the Awá-Cotacachi-Illinizas (spanning Nariño and extending into northern Ecuador) and Paraguas-Munchique/Southern Montane Forests of Antioquia (covering Antioquia to Cauca). These corridors house 14 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), 10 of which have been prioritized for investment by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).

The CEPF collaborates with civil society to protect these critical biodiversity areas worldwide. In Colombia, it partners with Fondo Patrimonio Natural to connect the fund with CSOs that are working on conservation projects in KBAs alongside communities, aiming to ensure the sustainability of these processes in the territories.

These areas are essential for conserving unique species facing a high risk of extinction, and their preservation is critical for the future of global biodiversity. Moreover, the Andes serve as water towers for South America, feeding rivers such as the Amazon and Orinoco, which provide water to numerous cities, including four national capitals.

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Source: CEPF

Custodians of Biodiversity: A Collaborative Project

Aware of the importance of these vital areas, a group of civil society organizations committed to conservation, supported by CEPF and Patrimonio Natural, have united under the “Custodians of Biodiversity” initiative. These organizations, located in Colombia’s western mountain range, are dedicated to protecting and supporting the sustainable management of KBAs in collaboration with local authorities and environmental agencies while promoting local community involvement in conservation.

As part of COP16, Custodians of Biodiversity aim to raise awareness among various stakeholders about the importance of protecting these vital areas for the planet

More information: https://impulsoverde.org/noticias/custodios-de-la-biodiversidad/

Cultural Diversity as an Ally for Conservation

In the Tropical Andes, diversity is not only biological but also cultural. With over 40 indigenous groups living in this hotspot, these communities play a crucial role in economic, political, and land-use activities. Their involvement in conservation efforts is critical, as more than 52% of the land area within the hotspot is either owned by or reserved for them.

Photo: Asociación Calidris

Photo: Impulso Verde

A Call to Action

Custodians of Biodiversity calls for collective action to protect this invaluable natural heritage. Collaborate, learn, and act with us to preserve Colombia’s ecosystems. Together, we can halt biodiversity loss and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. At COP16, it is time to reflect and take concrete actions to protect the richness of the Tropical Andes and strengthen participatory conservation in the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).

Photo: Corporación Biodiversa

Initiative Partners  

Civil society organizations working for biodiversity conservation in these KBAs, supported by CEPF and Patrimonio Natural in previous projects, have joined this initiative, including Fundación Impulso Verde, Corporación para la Gestión Ambiental Biodiversa, Asociación Calidris, Asociación Corfopal, Corporedes, Fundación Con Vida, Fundación Calima, Fundación Ecovivero, Fundación Ecohábitats, Fundación Trópico, Reserva la Planada, and Corporación Serraniagua. Other civil society organizations partnered with CEPF are also working in collaboration to strengthen themselves as a network, such as Fundación Ecotonos, Fedena, Resguardo Palmar Imbi, FELCA, Audubon, Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible-FCDS, Resguardo El Gran Sábalo, and the Awá Grand Family through the UNIPA organization. Additionally, they have the support of entities such as the Instituto Humboldt, Cali Environmental Film Festival, and Mily Calero Environmental and Social Communication.

A Green Impulse* for the Farallones de Cali      

The Impulso Verde foundation, a key custodian of biodiversity, has been an important ally in conserving the Farallones de Cali National Natural Park, a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) that is part of the Paraguas-Munchique/Southern Montane Forests of Antioquia conservation corridor. Through their efforts, 48 hectares of sub-Andean forest have been restored, and 4,212 native trees have been planted, strengthening local ecosystems. Additionally, 49 farmers were trained and educated in agroecology through workshops on biopreparations, seedbed management, and the roles and care of pollinators, enabling them to create their own home gardens and contribute to the park’s ecological restoration. These efforts are revitalizing soils, fostering more sustainable production, and promoting a cultural shift towards more responsible and regenerative agricultural practices.