The Conserva Aves initiative, as part of its second call for proposals in Colombia, has successfully selected seven organizations to manage new conservation areas, covering a total of 36,922 hectares. This effort aims to protect threatened, migratory, and endemic bird species, as well as to promote Civil Society Natural Reserves and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs).
Andrés Cardona
-The new conservation areas in Colombia will cover 36,922 hectares.
-These new protected areas are distributed across the municipalities of Dagua and Florida (Valle del Cauca), Ricaurte (Nariño), Acandí (Chocó), Tauramena (Casanare), and Belén de los Andaquíes (Caquetá).
-The projects involve local collaboration to ensure the long-term sustainability of the conservation areas and to maximize environmental benefits for all parties involved.
Colombia, July 29, 2024 – The Conserva Aves initiative, as part of its second call for proposals in Colombia, has successfully selected seven organizations to manage new conservation areas, covering a total of 36,922 hectares. This effort aims to protect threatened, migratory, and endemic bird species, as well as to promote Civil Society Natural Reserves and other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs).
The new areas are distributed across the municipalities of Dagua and Florida (Valle del Cauca), Ricaurte (Nariño), Acandí (Chocó), Tauramena (Casanare), and Belén de los Andaquíes (Caquetá). In these areas, close collaboration will be established with local communities, authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of these vital territories. This collaborative approach is essential for the success of conservation projects and for ensuring that the benefits of environmental protection are extended to all involved.
The Conserva Aves initiative aims to comprehensively safeguard bird habitats, including threatened endemic and migratory species, while benefiting the people living in these environments throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The goal is to protect at least two million hectares of key sites of immense environmental, economic, and social value. Additionally, the resources to co-finance this second call come from the support and commitment of Bezos Earth Fund, a philanthropic organization dedicated to combating climate change and protecting nature, and Fondo Acción.
It is worth noting that this initiative results from the collaborative efforts of American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society, BirdLife International, Birds Canada, and the Latin American and Caribbean Environmental Funds Network in their mission to protect biodiversity, foster climate resilience, and promote sustainable development. Its execution and implementation in Colombia are led by Fondo Acción, with the support of Asociación Calidris—BirdLife’s partner responsible for monitoring protocols and training.
Map of the selected projects
Information on the selected organizations and projects:
1. Pacific Environmental and Forestry Corporation – Corfopal
The project selected was: “Promoting sustainability in the dry enclave of the Dagua River: Civil Society Nature Reserves as a conservation strategy for birds”, which will cover 1 100 hectares.
2. Community Council of Black Communities of the Tolo River Basin and Southern Coastal Zone – Cocomasur, by its acronym in Spanish.
The selected project was: “Bird conservation in Cocomasur: promoting community development alternatives through biodiversity conservation”. The expected hectareage is 4 232.
3. Cunaguaro Foundation
The project selected was: “Preserving flights, protecting rivers; Conservation of essential habitats for threatened birds and protection of water resources in the plains foothills”. It is expected to have an intervention of 17,700 ha with the support of Conserva Aves en Colombia.
4. ICLEI Colombia
The selected project was: “Rio, Alas y Colores: Una apuesta comunitaria para la conservación de las aves del piedemonte amazónico en el Municipio de Belén de los Andaquíes – Caquetá” (River, Wings and Colors: A community commitment for the conservation of birds of the Amazonian foothills in the Municipality of Belén de los Andaquíes – Caquetá). Its intervention will cover 6 578 ha.
5. KWE’SX YU KIWE Indigenous Reserve
The selected project was: “Kiwe Yu’ viçxakwe’we’sx (Water and Bird Territory) Conservation Project of the Kwe’sx Yu’ Kiwe Indigenous Reserve”. It is expected that 1 006 hectares will be supported by the Initiative.
6. Palmar – Imbí Indigenous Reserve, Ricaurte, Nariño
The project selected was: “Strengthening the governance of the Héctor Ramiro García Héctor Ramiro García Awá Life Nature Reserve of the Palmar – Imbí Indigenous Reserve, a paradise for birds”. The Reserve is expected to have 2,105 hectares of protection.
7. Corporation for Environmental Management Biodiversa
The selected project was: “Proposal for the declaration of a regional protected area within the KBA Bosque de San Antonio/Km 18, upper basin of the Dagua River”. The estimated area will have 4,210 hectares that will begin a protection process with the support of Conserva Aves.
From the first call, a total of 11 projects were selected, covering 41,367 ha. With the 7 new projects, Conserva Aves Colombia expects the creation of at least 18 conservation areas totaling approximately 78 289 ha.