After 17 years of collaboration, we had the honour of welcoming the Chief Executive and board members of our long-standing partner, World Land Trust (WLT), to Colombia. To mark this special occasion, we were proud to host them at our El Dorado Reserve, one of the most biodiverse and ecologically important regions on Earth.
The WLT delegation included Dr. Catherine Barnard, Chief Executive; Claire Ashby, Board Member and Trustee; and Emma Tozer, Board Member and Honorary Treasurer, who were accompanied by our Executive Director, Kruzi Paloma Carrillo.
The purpose of this visit was to showcase the conservation impact made possible through World Land Trust’s support, which has been vital in safeguarding some of Colombia’s most threatened biodiversity across our network of nature reserves. It also offered an immersive experience, allowing our guests to witness firsthand the day-to-day efforts of our dedicated reserve teams.
Throughout the visit, we reflected on the major milestones achieved during our 17-year partnership. Highlights included exploring iconic sites within the El Dorado Reserve, such as La Laguna, where we enjoyed birdwatching and connected deeply with the area’s spiritual and ecological richness. We also organised a night walk, offering the opportunity to observe frogs and other fascinating nocturnal wildlife, further underscoring the extraordinary biodiversity we work to protect.
One of the most symbolic and heartfelt moments of the visit was the planting of native tree seedlings in designated restoration zones, an act that powerfully embodied our shared commitment to regenerating forest ecosystems and ensuring a future for Colombia’s rich biodiversity. The group also hiked to La Cumbre, a scenic trail that provided opportunities to observe diverse wildlife, hear the haunting calls of red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus), and experience the extraordinary biodiversity of the Sierra Nevada’s cloud forests up close.
This visit marks a pivotal milestone for our organisation, deepening our alliance with World Land Trust and reaffirming our mutual commitment to the long-term protection and preservation of Colombia’s extraordinary biodiversity.
“It was a true pleasure to finally visit ProAves’ remarkable El Dorado Reserve—not only to experience this incredible place firsthand, but also to learn more about the far-reaching impact ProAves is making across Colombia. This visit exemplifies how World Land Trust operates: by supporting locally rooted organisations that protect land to save species, combat climate change, and uplift local communities. I look forward to strengthening our collaboration and achieving even greater conservation outcomes together in Colombia,”
stated Dr. Catherine Barnard, Chief Executive of World Land Trust.
“On behalf of the ProAves Foundation of Colombia, I want to sincerely thank the World Land Trust team for their visit. It was truly moving to spend these days together, strengthening the connection between our organisations and allowing them to directly witness the conservation efforts led by ProAves on the ground. It was a truly enriching experience.
I deeply appreciate the commitment shown by World Land Trust in making this visit possible. Both personally and on behalf of ProAves, I look forward to continuing to join forces to ensure the long-term success of conservation actions in Colombia, efforts that ultimately benefit the entire planet. Once again, thank you so much!”
We are profoundly grateful to our allies for their visit and for their continued partnership in our mission to conserve biodiversity.
