In the News: Wyss Foundation Helps Establish Colombia’s Newest National Park
Image courtesy of Tomas Walschburger, The Nature Conservancy.
The Wyss Foundation is proud to spotlight the creation of National Natural Park Serranía de Manacacías, Colombia’s newest protected area. The park, recently featured in the New York Times, spans 263 square miles and links the Orinoquia, the second-largest tropical savanna in the continent, and the Amazon rainforest.
The region is a crucial wildlife corridor and home to more than a quarter of all bird species known to live in Columbia. But as traditional ranching in the region gave way to commercial farming, the ecosystem came under increasing pressure. As the New York Times reports, “intensive agriculture compromises the water, and the ability to sustain life, in a key transition zone between the llanos and the Amazon. The hope is that by protecting this small puzzle piece of savanna, a whole lot more can be saved.”
“I want to thank the Colombian government, its leaders, and the people of Colombia for championing and preserving biodiversity within your nation’s borders and across the globe,” said Hansjörg Wyss. “This announcement shows how seriously Colombia’s leaders are taking their commitment to help protect 30% of the Earth’s surface by 2030—the minimum scientists say we need to protect biodiversity and fight wildlife extinctions. The newly protected Manacacías National Park is now a jewel of Colombia’s national parks system, safeguarding an incredibly biodiverse savanna grassland that’s under-represented among protected areas anywhere else on Earth.”
The Wyss Foundation provided support for the Government of Columbia’s conservation efforts through grantee The Nature Conservancy, joining other funders and philanthropic groups including Art into Acres and the World Wildlife Fund.
“Colombia’s Orinoquia region is essential to the survival of hundreds of South American mammal and bird species. This highly biodiverse area was previously excluded from the National Protected Area System of Colombia, putting these threatened species and unique ecosystems at great risk,” added Molly McUsic, president of the Wyss Foundation. We are immensely proud to support The Nature Conservancy’s work to protect this area and fortify the rich habitat of the Orinoquia region.”
READ MORE: Where Anteaters and Anacondas Roam, and Ranchers Are Now Rangers
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About the Wyss Foundation – The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable foundation dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land.