Heart of the World Reserve

Celebrating the first Kogui nature reserve, owned and managed by the Kogui indigenous peoples of Colombia.

Acres Saved

“Puro will support Fundación ProAves between 2024–2026 as an urgent action to protect and restore part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Northern Colombia. The project aims to restore the degraded areas within two land purchases and 750 ha of pasturelands and degraded paramo restored with reforestation of 12,000+ endemic trees and shrubs species for the Blue bearded Helmetcrest and other species. This will form the “Reserva Natural Corazón del Mundo” (Heart of the World Nature Reserve). To ensure sustanability, ProAves will assist the Kogui Community with developing their eco-tourism.”

Organisation:
Fundación ProAves Colombia

Reserve:
Heart of the World Reserve

We have saved:
111 acres

Biodiversity:
The area has high species diversity there are an estimated 7 predicted amphibians, 31 species of bird, 13 mammals and 2 reptiles. There is also high endemism in the isolated mountain range. It is recognised as a Key Biodiversity Area and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The reserve will protect species such as the Critically Endangered Blue-bearded Helmetcrest and Santa Marta Wren (both of which have fewer than 250 individuals), Kogui Frailejon (a type of high-altitude succulent)and the Starry Night Harlequin Toad, and Guajira Stubfoot Toad both endangered and only found in these mountains.

Habitat type:
The two land purchases are a mixture of degraded forest (~50%) and pastureland (~50%). Once reforested, these areas will connect with other biodiverse rich forest.

Elevation:
1,800 – 4,200 above sea level

Location:
On Colombia’s Caribbean shores stands the highest coastal mountain on earth. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a corrugated pyramid of rock. This ancient and isolated massif is an area of just 5,000 sq miles originated from the Jurassic era.