ReverdeC: 10 million trees for Colombia

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Through ReverdeC, we want to plant 10 million trees in 10 years, between 2016 and 2026. Our purpose is to increase forest cover and participatory ecological restoration of watersheds, many of which supply municipal and rural aqueducts in Valle del Cauca, Antioquia and Tolima.

This is how we are moving forward

5,7 million trees planted.

100 % local labor and suppliers.

41 municipalities intervened

3,884hectares restored

9 threatened species planted

28 river basins intervened

68 community meetings and dialogs about knowledge

24 community plantings

ReverdeC, with a new approach

In order to increase forest cover and watershed protection, we have identified the opportunity to strengthen our impact on the territories through the prioritization of watersheds and the implementation of participatory restoration designs and impact monitoring. The prioritized watersheds are of high environmental and conservation importance due to the ecosystem services they provide, and aim to generate positive impacts on the territory derived from the restoration actions, such as water regulation, increased flow, protection of biodiversity and, in general, of the ecosystems present in the watershed.

Especies planted

The ReverdeC program has used 96 species for its restoration processes, of which 69 are native species. Therefore, traditional trees such as common myrtles (Myrtus communis), English walnut (Juglans regia), vainillo (Senna spectabilis), nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea) and Guadua bamboo (Guadua angustifolia) are planted in the intervened watersheds.

Most of these species are watershed protectors, provide nutrients to soils, produce nitrogen-rich foliage and others are fruit-bearing.

Likewise, in order to help preserve the ecosystems, we are planting 9 threatened species of trees: Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), Oak (Quercus), Colombian walnut (Juglans neotropica), comino (Aniba perutilis), mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), cedro de altura (Cedrela montana), pink cedar (Acrocarpus fraxinifolius), sangretoro (Virola parvifolia) and Colombian pine (Retrophyllum rospigliosii).

Working with communities

The objective of the program’s social management is to build links between the communities, ReverdeC and the territories, so that the interventions carried out have a common meaning for those who contribute to them.

The active participation of communities in the development of this program is the most important factor to ensure the success and sustainability of the planting. For this reason, we engage community organizations and 100 % of the labor and suppliers are from the region.

The program also has a series of community educational and awareness-raising activities, since one of its goals is to make planting and intervention a sustainable model, where the communities acquire a high level of ownership and even find their sustainability in protecting the water basins of Valle del Cauca, Antioquia and Tolima.

ReverdeC would not be possible without our partners

Valle del Cauca

Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca (CVC)
Fundación Fondo de Agua por la Vida
Coffee Growers’ Committee
Vallenpaz
Valle del Cauca Governor’s Office
SENA
Ganadería Colombiana Sostenible
Fundación Guayacanal
Mayors
Corporación Paisajes Rurales
Community organizations

Antioquia

Fundación Grupo Argos
Tekia S.A.S.
Corantioquia
Cornare
Antioquia Governor’s Office
Fundación Natura
Odinsa
Mayors

Tolima

Fundación Grupo Argos
Tekia S.A.S.
Cortolima
Tolima Governor’s Office
Mayors

Do you know what trees are good for?

They reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere, since trees trap these substances with their leaves and clean them.
They enable the filtration of water through the soil and its accumulation in the subsoil, generating water reserves.
During the rainy season, trees retain part of the water, thus preventing flooding.
They protect the fauna, as they are home to thousands of animals from the region.

Trees prevent global warming, as their shade protects rural areas and keeps inhabitants cool.
Through the different conservation actions carried out in the watersheds, we aim to contribute to the conservation of water resources and produce foliage rich in nitrogen, as well as contribute to the decontamination of the air, the recovery of eroded land and the preservation of biodiversity.

For more information about the project contact:
Marta Gallego
mgallego@celsia.com