Bioparque Ukumarí
In their own words
Yaku, in the Quechua language, means "water", the source of life, which irrigates the fields, which irrigates the souls, which harbours in its bosom the hope of humanity. Ukumarí has 44.7 hectares, 20 hectares are protected areas made up of natural protective forest and wilderness and two wetlands (whose area is 4 ha), which are cradles of biological diversity, sources of water and food for countless plant and animal species.
In 2002, it was a deforested area, without connectivity. Since 2009, the regeneration of the forests has been strengthened in a natural way, achieving connectivity corridors, bringing back the fauna, and achieving certification as a Complementary Conservation Strategy, contributing to the in situ conservation of biodiversity and its ecosystem services. It is a living classroom to teach the importance of these ecosystems (wetlands) to our visitors, to the neighbouring community through a seedbed called CROAC, with whom we work on the social appropriation of knowledge and their territory. The educational work is done through guided tours, museographies, exchange of experiences. This area also contributes to the mitigation of climate change in the area, led by the PTFF of Pereira (Bioparque Ukumarí), the entity in charge of protecting them and making known the importance of these strategic ecosystems. Accreditation would strengthen this great work and recognizes the work of and with the community.
The judges loved
Doing good work on animal car and awareness, as a zoo. Working with local communities to raise awareness. Good sustainability approached in the facility e.g. solar power. Attractive site in a biodiversity hot spots.