Protecting critical forests for tomorrow

High in the canopy of Colombia’s Middle Magdalena Valley, a Brown Spider Monkey swings through the branches. This acrobatic primate is Critically Endangered and without urgent action, its population is expected to decline by a staggering 80%.

Below, foraging on the forest floor, is the equally rare Blue-billed Curassow, an endemic bird with fewer than 2,500 individuals left in the entire world. They are just two of the remarkable residents of the El Silencio Reserve.

This region is one of the most biodiverse on Earth, but it is standing on the precipice of irreversible loss. Over the last 50 years, more than 85% of its ancient forests have been completely destroyed. If we do not act now and expand the El Silencio reserve while there is still time, this incredible landscape will face further destruction.

Sounds of nature

El Silencio translates to ‘The Silence’, but the reserve hums with the sounds of nature. It protects one of the most important remnants of tropical forest in the Middle Magdalena Valley, acting as a place of safety and beauty. This protected area is a testament to what is possible when dedicated people work to defend our planet’s most precious ecosystems.

The reserve is managed by World Land Trust’s partner, Fundación Biodiversa Colombia (FBC), an organisation that works hand-in-hand with local communities to safeguard the region’s incredible natural heritage.

FBC first became a World Land Trust partner in 2018, and since then, World Land Trust have contributed to two expansions at El Silencio. Most recently, supporters of World Land Trust’s 2020 fundraising appeal helped to bring 260 hectares under El Silencio’s protection.

The reserve currently protects nearly 3,400 hectares of forest and wetlands, as well as an array of endangered species. However, the work is far from complete, and crucial habitats remain unprotected.

Now, World Land Trust has an urgent opportunity to help FBC expand the reserve again through the purchase of two key neighbouring properties. To get there, they need your help to raise £2,188,483. FBC’s ultimate vision is to create the region’s largest wildlife corridor — vast, unbroken pathway connecting over 6,000 hectares of forest habitat from El Silencio to the San Bartolo Civil Society Nature Reserve. Purchasing these two properties is a key step in making this long-term goal a reality.

Deforestation

The collaboration between World Land Trust and FBC is a direct response to the encroaching deforestation across the Middle Magdalena Valley, with hundreds of hectares of forest being cleared per year for cattle and buffalo ranching. Illegal hunting and poaching also persist as serious threats that have devastating consequences for species. This includes the Endangered Colombian Tapir, which has lost over half its population in the last 30 years. Meanwhile, the wetlands, - crucial for the Endangered Antillean Manatee and the Critically Endangered Magdalena River Turtle - are threatened by a growing man-made canal that is seriously damaging this fragile environment. This expansion project will halt the canal’s progress, allowing FBC to prevent access to the canal, fill the eroded areas and begin reforesting the banks. All of this will safeguard the vital wetland ecosystem and protect the livelihoods of local communities who depend on it for their traditional fishing practices.

Best hope

For the animals that live in and around the El Silencio reserve, this expansion is their best hope for survival. The newly protected land will safeguard one of the region’s most extensive flooded forest habitats and one of the most comprehensive natural reserves in the area for generations to come.

The funds raised will also support the employment of two new rangers for a period of three years, who will work closely with local communities to patrol the forests and wetlands, deterring poachers and monitoring the health of wildlife populations.

Triple your impact

From 1 to 15 October, during World Land Trust’s Big Match Fortnight, every generous donation to this appeal will be tripled in value. This means a £25 donation will be matched to become a £75 contribution, making a monumental difference to the £2.2 million fundraising target.

Please help World Land Trust to expand El Silencio and give these incredible species the sanctuary they so urgently need. Donate today to save more forests, wetlands, and wildlife from destruction.

For more information and to make a donation, visit the World Land Trust website