Located in the buffer area of the Galilea Regional Natural Park, the project is part of a regional strategy to promote the conservation of the Andean forest and improve the ecosystem services and exceptional biodiversity in the region. Specifically, through the project, local landowners’ have committed to protect the last fragments of primary forest in eastern Tolima. The Habitat Bank-type strategy used by the project gives them the possibility to implement long-term payment-for-results strategies that produce net gains in biodiversity and help improve other ecosystem services. The specific conservation activities will be developed in alignment with plans established by the national government and environmental authorities and the University of Tolima will carry out research to improve the impact of the activities.

Through this project, the area’s spectacular biodiversity can return and thrive, for example, the endemic tree frog (Hyloscirtus bogotensis), the glass frog (Centrolene daidalea) and the oncilla (Leopardus wiedii). The project area is also part of a wildlife corridor for iconic species such as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and the jaguar (Panthera onca). It’s important not to forget that at the heart of this biodiversity project, are the communities who live in and around the project area. While delivering environmental impacts such as habitat connectivity, net gains in biodiversity and protection of the remnants of cloud forest in the area, the local community also benefits. Ecosystem services are improved, like the availability of freshwater and jobs and sustainable initiatives like beekeeping and a forest ranger programme have been put in place. Governance in the territory is improved and the project contributes to national peace-building initiatives and a reduction of social conflicts. This important project represents an opportunity to ensure conservation actions in the territory are financially viable over the long term.