El Bosque Rayeros is a Natural Reserve in the Magdalena Valley, located in the center of Colombia. Historically this has been a cattle ranching farm for almost a century. In 2021 we started to change history. Tropical forests of the Magdalena in Colombia are megadiverse ecosystems that are home to an immense number of endemic and unique species in the world. These forests are at serious risk of extinction due to the effects of human activities that have fragmented and degraded them since several years.
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How do we contribute from the Reserve?
We have made changes to the livestock production system, towards a regenerative system. We have built biological corridors to recover water from the streams and contribute to the habitat connectivity of many species that inhabit the area. We are continuously planting native trees and recording the biodiversity around. We have designated areas for the conservation and restoration of the tropical dry forest. Our goal is to become a center for research, education, responsible tourism and a laboratory for sustainable agriculture practices.
Traditional land management practices, especially extensive cattle ranching, have had a profound impact on forests, diminishing them. The last remaining forests are fragmented and isolated from each other, risking the health and survival of many species. Connecting the remaining forest fragments and protecting their biodiversity is urgent.
In 2022, we started recovering the vegetation of a forgotten water stream, at the same time connecting forest fragments with paths of vegetation. We fenced to avoid the entrance of the cattle, and have been planting native trees since then.
Also, strategic actions are being taken to improve connectivity in the area, such as camera trap monitoring and canopy bridges for crossing of arboreal animals in danger of electrocution. The next steps are: connecting the last section of the path, replace the fence with a permanent one, and continue restoring with native trees.
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