.jpeg)
In our mission to preserve biodiversity, building partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and other scientists is essential. This November, four members of the Wise Ancestors team traveled to Antioquia, Colombia to do just that. We have been working with local scientists for a while to develop Conservation Challenges focusing on two bird species, which are described on our platform. Our journey brought us face-to-face with both the wonders and the pressing challenges of conservation in Colombia. We had the privilege of meeting with local conservationists, witnessing firsthand the biodiversity we aim to protect, and engaging with the communities who work tirelessly on behalf of their environment.
The Wise Ancestors team included Ann Pace, our executive director; Wendy Bussière, administrative specialist; Rachel Meyer, a member of the scientific advisory board; and Solenne Correard, scientific director. Each brought unique expertise, creating a strong foundation for building new collaborations and learning from our hosts.
Our journey was thoughtfully organized by Angélica Diaz Pulido and Santiago Chiquito García, co-founders of Neotropical Innovation, whose dedication to conservation made the entire trip possible. We were also joined by Gustavo Bravo, Curator of Ornithological Collections at the Humboldt Institute, and lead scientist for the Conservation Challenges. We engaged with two local guides, Alexander Agudelo and Andrés Zapata in the Montañerito Paisa Nature Reserve and our driver, Juan Carlos Martínez, who are members of the local paisa community and very knowledgeable about the species and habitat, and invested in their protection. Their combined knowledge and hospitality enriched every moment of our visit, offering deep insights into the region’s unique ecosystems and the challenges of protecting them.
The Journey: Day-by-Day Highlights
Day 1: Connecting and Setting the Tone
After wrapping up COP16 in Cali, we flew to Medellin, where we kicked off the trip with dinner at Parmessano, a restaurant that contributes part of its proceeds to conservation efforts — a critical reminder of the innovative ways we can support conservation efforts. In 2023, a collaboration between Parmessano and Neotropical Innovación led to a conservation menu inspired by mortiño and mountain grapes, which educated diners on the value of these ancestral and native fruits, and also raised money for conservation of the Montañerito Paisa. This dinner set the tone for our trip as we connected over a meal and discussed our itinerary.
Day 2: Journey to the Montañerito Paisa Nature Reserve
The following day, we traveled 80 km north through Santa Rosa de Osos to an area in Yarumal known as Vereda La Esmeralda, “The Emerald Path”. From there we ventured deeper on a long dirt road to reach the breathtaking Montañerito Paisa Nature Reserve, a 356 hectare parcel that has been permanently protected by the efforts of Angélica Diaz Pulido and Santiago Chiquito García, through their NGO Neotropical Innovation. The team has negotiated the signing of six conservation agreements so far, covering 1880 hectares of protected areas, and are actively working to expand the amount of land that is permanently protected. One of their primary goals is to welcome ecotourists in the near future, which would serve as a way to educate the public about the importance of preserving land like this, and to raise financial support. Our young local guides, Alexander Agudelo and Andrés Zapata led us through the reserve, while Angélica and Santiago pointed out the important species, many of them endemic. Highlights included spotting the enigmatic anipitta that is the focus of 3 of our Conservation Challenges, and several other bird species, and tasting berries from local plants that play a critical role in the birds’ diets. Witnessing a recent mountain lion sighting captured on a camera trap added to the awe of the day.
After hiking back, while perched on the foundations of a future eco-lodge, we enjoyed lunch wrapped in plantain leaves prepared by a local restaurant, along with fresh squeezed Lulo juice. After dessert, we enjoyed a moment among hummingbirds in a secluded segment of the forest nearby. We later explored an area outside the reserve, where potato farming has encroached on wildlands, highlighting the pressure of industrialized agriculture on native habitats. As evening fell, we spotted the critically endangered Montañerito Paisa in the remaining native habitat, an unforgettable experience that underscored the urgency of protecting this unique environment.
Day 3: Biodiversity at a Military Base and Local Collaboration
On our third day, we ventured to the Cuiva Plains area of Yarumal, to visit the Batallon Biter IV military base with a special focus on conservation. The base is located in an area that includes patches of paramo, a neotropical high mountain biome found only in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The paramo is an especially fragile ecosystem that serves not only as habitat for the Montañerito Paisa, but it also holds water reserves in its soft ground cover of sphagnum which feed local rivers and municipalities. In 2021, Neotropical Innovation negotiated a conservation agreement with the military under the auspices of its Montañerito Paisa Conservation Initiative (iCMP) to protect these valuable pockets of land. We were led on trails through these protected areas by Esteban Estrada, a 20 year old military trainee who is learning about conservation from Neotropical Innovation in his spare time, and who showcased local plants and berries. The base hosts two greenhouses where local plants are grown to later be planted outdoors in support of the bird populations, and to serve as economic and sustainable crop alternatives for local communities. We tasted jam and juice made from the mortiño berries, products that could support farmers willing to cultivate native flora.
After leaving the base, we headed into the quaint town of Santa Rosa de Osos, where the town center boasted a large square occupied by local food and clothing vendors, and an ornate, historic church with a footprint that filled an entire block. After enjoying lunch in the equivalent of a partly open air food court, we headed back to our hotel for a presentation by Santiago and Angélica that outlined the impactful work they’re doing through Neotropical Innovation and their long-term vision for regenerative farming and sustainability.
Day 4: Reflecting on the Journey
On our final day, we returned to Medellin with a renewed sense of purpose, saying farewell to our collaborators and reflecting on the experiences and connections we had made. We left with heavy hearts but also with deepened commitment to support the conservation efforts of this biodiversity hotspot.
Summary
Our primary goal was to build relationships and deepen our understanding of the challenges in the area. Through this trip, we’ve strengthened our partnership with the Humboldt Institute and Neotropical Innovation, and gained insights into the work needed to replicate our model around the world.
This visit shed light on both the threats and the resilience within the local ecosystem. The impact of industries like potato farming, cattle ranching, and pine tree plantations on bird habitats became starkly clear, as did the knowledge held by the paisa community. The creative approach of Neotropical Innovation in involving communities and developing sustainable, regenerative practices left a lasting impression, revealing the scale of local conservation efforts and the potential for more partnerships.
Our time in Antioquia taught us valuable lessons that will inform not only our work in Colombia but also our global conservation strategy. This journey reinforced our belief that true change starts with community engagement, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to protecting our world’s most vulnerable species and habitats.
We are deeply grateful to our Colombian partners, and we look forward to furthering our work together for the conservation of the Montañerito Paisa and the other incredible species that call Colombia home.
.png)
)%20(1).jpg)
