Kiubo Colombia's Eco-Adventure: Planting Trees and Preserving Nature
On Friday, September 20th, the Kiubo Colombia team embarked on an exciting adventure just one hour from Bogotá, visiting the Encenillo Biological Reserve. Before becoming a reserve, Encenillo was a center for the extraction and processing of limestone in the area to produce quicklime, a raw material used in agriculture and industry. One of the furnaces used to calcine the limestone is still visible today. After its closure in 1996, and thanks to the donation of land by Hendrik and Marianne Hoeck, the recovery of this ecosystem began in 2006 with the support of multiple foundations and companies. This effort includes the planting of endemic trees that allow wildlife, such as coatis, armadillos, páramo foxes, and numerous resident and migratory bird species, to regain their habitat. Additionally, there is an intention to create a biological corridor to the Chingaza National Natural Park so that white-tailed deer, spectacled bears, and cusumbos can populate these forested areas.
This beautiful natural space is known for its rich biodiversity, and its importance lies in its harboring of natural relics of high Andean forests, characteristic of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. During our visit, we took a hike of approximately 3 kilometers, where we had the opportunity to observe and learn about the emblematic flora and fauna of the reserve. Some team members even managed to spot the Andean Pheasant, a distinctive bird of these ecosystems, highlighting the natural wealth of the place.
In addition to the exploration, our activity included tree planting as part of the reforestation effort carried out by the foundation. This action allowed us to actively engage in environmental protection. The experience was enriching, as it connected us with nature and reinforced our commitment to sustainability. The Encenillo Biological Reserve is not only a refuge for various species, but also offers a vital space for all of us to learn about the importance of preserving our natural resources.
Of course our guests are welcome to visit the Reserve and get involved with the restoration process, there are several hikes, each one with a different level of difficulty so everyone can enjoy this beautiful ecosystem. This activity can be arranged by itself as a half-day tour or can be combined with a visit to Guatavita to make it a full-day experience.
