Last Autumn we asked for your help to save vital forests and wetlands as part of our ‘Expand Colombia’s El Silencio Reserve’ appeal. And today, we’re delighted to announce that we have reached our full £2,188,483 fundraising target – the largest amount we’ve ever raised for an appeal!
Thanks to your generous support, our partner Fundación Biodiversa Colombia (FBC) can now save 1,495 hectares (3,694 acres) of highly threatened land in the Middle Magdalena Valley before it’s lost forever to deforestation.
In just the past 50 years, more than 85% of ancient forest has been destroyed in the Middle Magdalena Valley, but FBC’s El Silencio reserve safeguards one of the most important remnants of tropical forest in the region. Now your donations will continue FBC’s vital work by bringing two more key properties into the reserve, saving more land from irreparable damage.
Watch our Thank You video from Colombia.
Here’s a closer look at what your donations to the appeal will achieve:
• Enable FBC to expand their El Silencio reserve by 1,495 hectares (3,694 acres).
• Fund the employment of two rangers to protect and patrol the land for the next three years.
• Safeguard the Barbacoas lake and the livelihoods of local fishing communities from the imminent threat of an encroaching man-made canal.
• Protect Critically Endangered species, including the Brown Spider Monkey (Ateles hybridus), Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti) and Magdalena River Turtle (Podocnemis lewyana). Many of the species in this region exist nowhere else in the world.
• Bring degraded areas of land under protection and begin the process of restoration.
"Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our Expanding El Silencio Appeal – the huge generosity of WLT supporters inspires all of us at WLT to continue to do more for conservation. Your valuable contributions will mean purchase of two important areas of land can move ahead, adding an amazing 1,495 hectares to the existing El Silencio Reserve. This will enable restoration of vital forest habitat for the Critically Endangered and endemic species that depend on the forest and wetlands of the Barbacoas.”Charlotte Beckham, WLT Senior Conservation Programmes Manager
From everyone at World Land Trust and FBC, we say another huge – ‘Thank You!’
None of this would have been possible without you.
Every donation from WLT supporters means so much and will make a huge difference for El Silencio, as well as the communities and wildlife of this remarkable region.
We can’t wait to share future updates with you as the project progresses, so keep an eye on our News page and social media accounts.
