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Large Projects in Colombia 2023
Safeguarding Colombia's Biodiversity Sanctuary
Colombia Conservation facts
Colombia, the second most biodiverse country in the world after Brazil, plays a crucial role in global conservation efforts. As of 2021, it boasts approximately 63,000 documented species, with 14% classified as endemic. The country leads in the diversity of orchids, birds, and butterflies, ranks second for plants, amphibians, and freshwater fish, and is third for palm trees and reptiles. Additionally, it is sixth globally for biodiversity for mammals. An increase listed 2,103 species classified as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable according on the IUCN Red List.
Large Projects in Colombia
With a strong focus on education, The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund supports three large projects in Colombia on behalf of Mubadala Investment Corporation and its local asset, Minesa. The three projects are taking place across 18 high conservation value areas in the Santander Department and include a ground-breaking project to save three primary species – Lynch’s tree frog (Hyloscirtus lynchi), the Mountain grackle bird (Macroagelaius subalaris), and the Colombian oak tree (Quercus humboldtii). Education is a fundamental theme in our conservation efforts for the three species, facilitated by the educational bus, Rana Chiva. This mobile classroom travels to rural communities, raising awareness and providing valuable information about these species and their importance.
Colombia project partner
The Fund manages all three projects in cooperation with our local partner.
Fundación ProAves
The ProAves Foundation was born in 1998 to save the Yellow-eared Parrot from extinction in Colombia. Thanks to its success in the conservation of the Parrot, ProAves was legally established in 2001 in Jardín, Antioquia, and expanded its focus to study and conserve other globally threatened species according to the IUCN, especially birds and amphibians throughout Colombia, through research, strategic conservation actions and work with the community.
The Colombian Mountain grackle project
To conserve the endangered Colombian Mountain Grackle (Macroagelaius subalaris) in Santander, Colombia, it is essential to deepen our understanding of this bird. An extensive research initiative will focus on its ecological needs, population density, and distribution, allowing us to develop a comprehensive conservation action plan that addresses the threats it faces.
This action plan aims to establish protected population strongholds, foster stakeholder involvement, engage local communities, and implement a robust monitoring strategy. Designed to support the recovery of the species, it will ensure its long-term survival and contribute to a reduction in its IUCN threat status.
Community awareness plays a vital role in the survival of the Colombian Mountain Grackle. The ProAves educational campaign will be significantly driven by the Rana Chiva Bus, a mobile environmental awareness project that has reached over 14,000 youth in some of the most remote Colombian communities. This innovative initiative educates about the species in an engaging and informative manner, reminiscent of a real-life "Magic School Bus." Through these efforts, we aim to inspire and empower local communities to protect their rich biodiversity.
Progress in 2023 and next steps
Many rare endemic species, including the Indigo-winged parrot (CR), Colombian mountain grackle (EN), and Rusty-faced parrot (VU) depend on Andean oak forests for their survival. The population of the Colombian oak forests have been declining as a result of timber exploitation, possibly leaving these and other species without a place to call home.
To save the birds, they need to save the oak and in 2023 have created an action plan which was presented to specialists, scientists and deputy directors of the Autonomous Corporation of Santander (CAS) and we hope for imminent implementation.
Part of the process to implement the action plan is through conservation guardians. During 2023, we managed to train 8 young people to support the monitoring process. Population monitoring has been carried out in the municipalities of Surata, Vetas, Charta and California, since April 2023.
ProAves identified 4 key sites (Vereda La Blanca, Finca La Maravilla, Vereda El Monsalve), with good oak forests and good water sources to implement the action plan. Good progress is being with the owners.
The vehicle to educate the community on the importance of species conservation is the mobile school bus, the Rana Chiva. Through the Rana Chiva, Women for Conservation held 6 workshops to empower local women and managed to reach 18,264 teachers and students in rural communities.
"Through collaborative efforts with local communities, we've made significant strides in protecting the endangered Colombian Mountain Grackle and its critical Colombian oak forest habitat. This vital conservation work, which bridges scientific research and grassroots action, has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. Together, we're securing a future for this unique species and the ecosystem it calls home."
Sara Ines Lara
Executive Director
The Lynch Tree frog project
Lynch’s Colombia Tree Frog (Hyloscirtus lynchi) was feared extinct after decades of unsuccessful searches by numerous researchers. However, hope was restored when ProAves successfully rediscovered this elusive species in 2022.
Fundación ProAves researchers will intensify research towards establishing a Conservation Action Plan and then implement direct conservation actions to save this highly endangered species. Our goal is to reverse the declining population trend and work towards downgrading its status on the Red List from Critically Endangered to a more stable classification.
Community awareness plays a vital role in the survival of the Lynch’s Tree frog. The ProAves educational campaign will be significantly driven by the Rana Chiva Bus, a mobile environmental awareness project that has reached over 14,000 youth in some of the most remote Colombian communities. This innovative initiative educates about the species in an engaging and informative manner, reminiscent of a real-life “Magic School Bus.” Through these efforts, we aim to inspire and empower local communities to protect their rich biodiversity.
Progress in 2023 and next steps
This species is located along the road from Bucaramanga to the Páramo in Berlin at various points. The species can also be found along the route from San Gil to Charalá to Encino in the Santander region, as well as at a specific location on the Duitama to Gambita road.
Between March and September, a research team accompanied by three thesis students, studied the ecology of the Lynch tree frog for 5 days per location.
Due to the rarity of the species, ProAves is still busy gathering valuable information regarding the localities and population densities within those regions, but in 2023, they published a few scientific articles as well as shared their findings. Two notable presentations included at the Threatened Species of Santander conference and 3rd National Congress of Herpetology in Cali, Colombia.
During 2023, ProAves managed to train 8 young people to support the monitoring of the Lynch tree frogs. Youth is key to the success of this project and the vehicle to educate the community on the importance of species conservation is the mobile school bus, the Rana Chiva. Through the Rana Chiva, Women for Conservation held 6 workshops to empower local women and managed to reach 18,264 teachers and students in rural communities.
“The strategic alliance between ProAves and MBZ has enabled us to rescue another species from the brink of extinction. Thanks to this collaboration, we’ve gained crucial knowledge and secured protected habitats for the critically endangered Colombian treefrog (Hyloscirtus lynchi), marking a significant victory for biodiversity conservation.”
Alex Cortes
Research Director
The Colombian oak project
Colombia's oak forests have been declining as a result of timber exploitation. This is particularly alarming as many rare endemic species, including the Indigo-winged Parrot (CR), Colombian Mountain Grackle (EN), and Rusty-faced Parrot (VU) depend on Andean oak forests for their survival.
To enhance the coverage of the native oak forest, Fundación ProAves will establish new protected areas, restore habitats, and launch an educational campaign to raise community awareness about the Colombian Oak. Through this multi-faceted approach, we aim to expand the oak tree's protected area and ensure its population growth, benefiting the wildlife that relies on these trees.
Community awareness plays a vital role in the survival of the Colombian oak. The ProAves educational campaign will be significantly driven by the Rana Chiva Bus, a mobile environmental awareness project that has reached over 14,000 youth in some of the most remote Colombian communities. This innovative initiative educates about the species in an engaging and informative manner, reminiscent of a real-life "Magic School Bus." Through these efforts, we aim to inspire and empower local communities to protect their rich biodiversity.
Progress in 2023 and next steps
ProAves developed a comprehensive understanding of the species’ ecology, population, and distribution, which will inform the creation of an action plan. In 2023, they collaborated with three thesis students who will continue to work on various projects.
The action plan was presented to specialists, scientists, and deputy directors of the Autonomous Corporation of Santander (CAS), and they are optimistic about its imminent implementation. A key component of this process involved conservation guardians; in 2023, ProAves successfully trained eight young individuals to assist with monitoring efforts. Since April 2023, population monitoring has been conducted in the municipalities of Surata, Vetas, Charta, and California.
ProAves identified four key sites—Vereda La Blanca, Finca La Maravilla, and Vereda El Monsalve—known for their healthy oak forests and reliable water sources to implement the action plan. Positive progress is being made with landowners in these areas.
To educate the community on the importance of species conservation, we utilize the mobile school bus, the Rana Chiva. Through this initiative, Women for Conservation conducted six workshops aimed at empowering local women and successfully reached 18,264 teachers and students in rural communities.
"The MBZ-ProAves project is making crucial contributions to our understanding and protection of Colombian oak forests in Santander. These forests, under threat from timber exploitation, provide vital habitat for endangered species like the Colombian Mountain Grackle. Our work is not only advancing scientific knowledge but also safeguarding a unique ecosystem facing urgent conservation challenges."
Juan Lazaro Toro
Director of Conservation Strategies
PrAves at the Caldas Bird Watching Congress
First National Course on Techniques on the study of Amphibians
The Rana Chiva, the real life “magic school bus”
MBZF Head of Fund visits Colombia project
