Fundación Magnolios is an environmental foundation dedicated to biodiversity conservation and restoration projects in the Andean Cloud forests of Los Magnolios natural reserve, located in Yarumal, Antioquia, Colombia. The organization protects native Andean forests that are home to endangered species like Magnolia guatapensis and Magnolia yarumalensis, as well as iconic wildlife such as jaguars and pumas. The foundation's mission is to prevent deforestation, conserve biodiversity, and support local communities through conservation, restoration, and environmental education activities. The organization leverages carbon finance, biodiversity credits, ecotourism, and donations to fund its work.
Project story
The cloud forest north of Medellín, Colombia, is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Because of the humidity, plants can get all the moisture from the air. They grow right on top of each other, meaning a single tree can host thousands of species that spend their entire lives without ever touching the ground. Unfortunately, this unique ecosystem is being cleared for cow pasture. It’s a practice that dates back to colonial times and remains a common way to make a living, even though farming on these steep, misty slopes is incredibly inefficient.
To make sure the cloud forest is permanently protected, Fundación Magnolios is building a nature reserve. Once the land is secured, we let nature take the lead. Because the area is so moist and lush, nature regenerates faster here than almost anywhere else on Earth. For the rarest species that need an extra hand (especially Magnolia polyhypsophylla, M. guatapensis and M. yarumalensis), the team collects seeds to raise in a nursery before replanting them in the wild. We are also very active in investigating new species, such as orchids, frogs and tree ferns.
In the most recent project of Fundación Magnolios, Planet Wild and Ecosia teamed up with Fundación Magnolios to help protect purchase 53 additional hectares of cloud forest. We are now at 850 hectares of conservation land and keep going. We are now seeking funds to be able to repair the run-down conservation house that came with the newly purchased land (water, power, hygiene), separate the paths used by mules from those used by humans to avoid that they get destroyed, and further develop the nature reserve’s infrastructure so that scientific and ecotourism visitors can come, stay and support the nature reserve.
Project updates
Team
Growing the Magnolios Nature Reserve
Fundación Magnolios is an environmental foundation dedicated to biodiversity conservation and restoration projects in the Andean Cloud forests of Los Magnolios natural reserve, located in Yarumal, Antioquia, Colombia. The organization protects native Andean forests that are home to endangered species like Magnolia guatapensis and Magnolia yarumalensis, as well as iconic wildlife such as jaguars and pumas. The foundation's mission is to prevent deforestation, conserve biodiversity, and support local communities through conservation, restoration, and environmental education activities. The organization leverages carbon finance, biodiversity credits, ecotourism, and donations to fund its work.
Project story
The cloud forest north of Medellín, Colombia, is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Because of the humidity, plants can get all the moisture from the air. They grow right on top of each other, meaning a single tree can host thousands of species that spend their entire lives without ever touching the ground. Unfortunately, this unique ecosystem is being cleared for cow pasture. It’s a practice that dates back to colonial times and remains a common way to make a living, even though farming on these steep, misty slopes is incredibly inefficient.
To make sure the cloud forest is permanently protected, Fundación Magnolios is building a nature reserve. Once the land is secured, we let nature take the lead. Because the area is so moist and lush, nature regenerates faster here than almost anywhere else on Earth. For the rarest species that need an extra hand (especially Magnolia polyhypsophylla, M. guatapensis and M. yarumalensis), the team collects seeds to raise in a nursery before replanting them in the wild. We are also very active in investigating new species, such as orchids, frogs and tree ferns.
In the most recent project of Fundación Magnolios, Planet Wild and Ecosia teamed up with Fundación Magnolios to help protect purchase 53 additional hectares of cloud forest. We are now at 850 hectares of conservation land and keep going. We are now seeking funds to be able to repair the run-down conservation house that came with the newly purchased land (water, power, hygiene), separate the paths used by mules from those used by humans to avoid that they get destroyed, and further develop the nature reserve’s infrastructure so that scientific and ecotourism visitors can come, stay and support the nature reserve.
Project updates
Team
Location
Colombia