Our projects
2022: Antioquia, Colombia
Land Restoration
In late 2022, NatureRe acquired two plots of land (Managua and Bengala) in the region of Antioquia, Colombia. More than 60% of the land was degraded due to cattle ranching activities. For the past two years, our local teams have worked on regenerating this land.
By eliminating what stops nature from restoring itself, in this case the cattle ranching, a large part of the land is able to naturally regenerate. thanks to the rich and diverse surrounding ecosystem which acts as a “flora and fauna natural reserve”.
For areas which need assistance, we planned our implementation based on the land’s density and cover. We set up a variety of soft measures, including fire prevention and boundary fencing and native species planting, allowing for the replication of natural succession and an increase in richness. As of 2024, we have planted a total of 24,000 native trees from 19 varieties, such as wild cashew trees (Anacardium excelsum) and mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla). We continuously update our methodology based on measured results.
Image: tree planted in May 2023 which has grown 5+ meters
In November 2024, over the course of two weeks, four teams of three specialists collected data from 69 randomly selected parcels across our Managua and Bengala farms, along with 11 reference points in the baseline healthy forest, Abundacia. Each parcel, with a 12.6-meter diameter, was surveyed to measure large trees for height and width. Within each parcel, a 2.8-meter parcel was delimited, and all small trees were measured. Each parcel was marked, and labelled, according to it’s size, specie and geographic point. Botanical samples were collected from the trees to validate their identification with the collection at the Universidad de Antioquia herbarium, an essential step to assess biodiversity levels and document native species.
This meticulous data collection, which takes place every two years, is a key part of our carbon monitoring process, ensuring accurate calculations of carbon capture for validation by Verra. Verification by Verra marks an essential stage in generating certified carbon credits, reinforcing NatureRe’s commitment to transparency and reliability. The data gathered not only supports carbon accounting but also provides insights into ecosystem health, species variety, and restoration progress, which inform our adaptive management approach to Assisted Natural Regeneration.
Biodiversity Contributions
Multilayered vegetative cover, in comparison to typical reforestation creates a mosaic of habitats, offering diverse resources, and supporting a wide range of species. This structural complexity contributes to the overall health, resilience, and ecological functionality of ecosystems. We regularly monitor how many species of flora and fauna have reemerged thanks to the 21 monitoring stations installed in different vegetations.
We also protect regional and continental corridors such as the Jaguar Conservation Corridor to connect jaguar populations of Central and South America by allowing them to move from one area to another, guaranteeing the maintenance of the species and the ecosystems. With 50% of the species’ original range having been lost due to illegal poaching, human-jaguar conflict and loss and fragmentation of habitat, this initiative allows for the protection of the species and the ecosystem.
Image: ocelot, anteater and others present on our land
Water Health
Full ecosystem restoration does not only address fauna and flora. It includes other natural resources such as water. Healthy native ecosystems are the only way to balance water and climate extremes.
The project area has multiple water resources which in the past supplied a rural aqueduct, including the river Nus. Rural community aqueducts are publicly managed and have a community approach, enabling the flow and channeling of water resources, specifically for local consumption. NatureRe regularly samples water sources to assess its quality.
The micro-watersheds that supply the rural aqueducts are part of a small geographic area, where the water flows through drains with a main exit called spring or source. Micro-watersheds are of vital importance for the development of ecosystems, communities, settlements, and, therefore, the country.
Image: drone shot of water source on our land
Local Communities
To restore our land, we actively work with local communities, consulting with stakeholders to ensure the protection of their land and communities, as well as to ensure fair economic returns. We have hired multiple members of the local community, from rangers, to biologists, to environmental engineers.
Our local team has also set up workshops with village inhabitants to better understand their needs and priorities and to ensure access to information, throughout all stages of development. Raising awareness on the operations and sustainable management of forests resources, reforestation strategies and biodiversity protection is essential for capacity and knowledge building.
More projects involving local communities are to come, training opportunities and knowledge-exchange. We plan to create a women-led nursery that will produce seedlings of native species, supporting both biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Image: local environmental engineer and property managers working on the project planning and monitoring
2014: Pilot project in Chóco, Colombia
NatureRe has been restoring nature for 10 years now. In 2014, we initiated a pilot project in the Chocó region of Colombia, chosen for its richness in land and biodiversity.
Together with our partner, we carefully selected an area that was mostly degraded to apply Assisted Natural Regeneration.
In total, an area of approx. 8ha in need of restoration of a natural park (350ha) was identified, acquired and restoration processes were started. We used a variety of soft methods to help nature do what it does best: regenerate.
Seven years later, local communities can see the impact of the project: nature has regenerated, and the unique biodiversity of Colombia has flourished once again.
The upper picture shows a part of the acquired area in 2014, before we started with the process of Assisted Natural Regeneration. The bottom picture shows the same area seven years later, in April 2021. You can clearly see the progress made and the impact of Assisted Natural Regeneration on the present ecosystem. In only 7 years, trees have been growing and the land has been flourishing.
With such clear evidence, we realised we needed to scale this project and restore much more land.
Why Colombia
Images: rich fauna and flora photographed on our land
Colombia is also importantly advanced in carbon regulation and shows leadership in the race against climate change. In 2021, the country upped their commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from 20% to 51% by 2030 and be net-zero by 2050. In October 2024, they hosted the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16).
Colombia is ranked the top country for carbon credit investments in 2024, thanks to its robust carbon market framework, political stability, and immense biodiversity. Colombia is listed as one of the world’s “megadiverse” countries, hosting close to 10% of the planet’s biodiversity. Worldwide, it ranks first in bird and orchid species diversity and second in plants, butterflies, freshwater fishes and amphibians.
Colombia is uniquely position to deliver impactful nature-based carbon credits, with over 142 million tonnes issued since the market’s inception and roughly 10 million hectares of land suitable for commercial restoration according to our methodology.