Fundepáramos, Chingaza Lake System
Region
Americas
Country
Colombia
Flyway
Americas flyway
Initiative
WLI Americas
About
Name of organisation
Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de las Zonas de Páramos y sus Áreas de Influencia. Fundepáramos NGO
Funding support
IUCN
Number of staff
6
Number of visitors per year
To generate concrete actions to raise public awareness about the importance of the Chingaza System as a water supplier for Bogotá D.C.
Overall aims of the centre
Description of the centre
The Centre was declared a Ramsar Site (Chingaza Lake System), which has 4058 Ha, belonging to the Paramo and high Andean forest ecosystems, and is located within the Chingaza National Natural Park, thanks to the management developed by Fundepáramos ONG, It has a great variety of animal and plant species, many of which are in danger of extinction, such as the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), the Páramo Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) and the Frailejones (Espeletia sp), among many other páramo species.
Environmental education campaigns, research tourism and social development activities to fight poverty are carried out there, focusing on the most disadvantaged. The site is located 75 km from the capital of the republic in the Chingaza National Natural Park (which supplies water to Bogotá), between the departments of Cundinamarca and Meta in the municipalities of Junín, San Juanito, El Calvario and Fómeque.
The Foundation has been developing its activities at the Site since 2003, incorporating rural development actions, environmental education and conservation of endangered species, for which it has generated a series of informative material (posters, flyers, videos, photos, among others), as well as the necessary technical reports.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
National information material on the importance of the site is generated, as well as work with rural school children on the rational use of water and public awareness is created through participatory action research.
Top three successes
Concrete actions have been generated such as the declaration as a Ramsar Site, initial work has been carried out for the creation of a network of blue schools and concrete actions for the conservation and restoration of areas surrounding the site with community participation.
Top three challenges
Involve national and local authorities in the proper management of the site. Create environmental easements. Broaden the processes of visitation to the Area.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; Producing written materials; Using audio-visual tools; Developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Managing / creating habitat
Participation
Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Delivering adult education; Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Running effective administration; Health and safety; Fund-raising; Project planning.
Contact
Hugo Omar Forero. Carrera 21 No 50-88 First Floor. Bogotá. Bogotá. Colombia. Tel: 571 2480569
Website address: www.fundeparamos.org
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