Las Mercedes "Reserva Natural de las Aguas" - Accompanying research CO2 compensation Colombia

In the central region of Colombia (Magdalena Medio), between Bogotá and Medellín, the rainforest protection project "Las Mercedes - Reserva Natural de las Aguas" is intended to protect a rainforest area acutely threatened by deforestation. The purchase of a core zone of 550 hectares and the protection of about 7,500 hectares of primary and secondary rainforests, which serve as an important green oasis for protecting plants, animals and four large water sources of local rivers, are in preparation. Furthermore, the existing agriculture will be converted into sustainable rotational grazing with water buffaloes (phase 1), and crops with higher yields, such as coffee and cacao, will be tested according to the agroforestry method (phase 2). The project is also characterized by intensive cooperation with the artists' association "ArtEmbassy", intended to strengthen local and supraregional communication, participation and awareness-raising in the region. The accompanying research of this BOKU CO2 compensation project (coordinated by Österreichisches Institut für Nachhaltigkeit) will investigate how and why such sustainable projects have a positive socio-ecological impact, also in terms of the UN Agenda 2030 (SDGs).