We are a non-profit civil organization dedicated to rainforest conservation through community actions, research, and education. We are based in Colombia, at the heart of the Coffee Region
Environment
"Many small people, in small places, doing small things, can change the world"
EDUARDO GALEANO (1940-2015)
What is your Ecological Footprint?
Colombia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. Around 3.5 million hectares are lost each year with devastating effects on our biodiversity, water sources, clean air, and beautiful natural landscapes. Tropical rainforests are key elements to life’s sustainability on Earth, not only as humans in Colombia, but also impacting distant geographic areas and diverse species, ranging from microscopic forms of life, to the lives of plants and animals.
Biodiversity preservation is considered a core target to ensure our survival on Earth. This why the Neotropic Foundation has created the program, “Adopt a Square Meter of Rainforest”, to invite companies, organizations, and individuals around the world to join us in the task of caring for our forests.
By adopting a square meter of forest, you can contribute in a real way to the conservation and recovery of diverse rainforest areas in Colombia, including the rainforests of the Andes Mountains, the Colombian Amazon Rainforest, and the Pacific Coast Rainforest, located in the Chocó region. These areas are biodiversity hot spots, with great biological and cultural significance on a planetary level.
Adopt a Square Meter of Rainforest:
When you adopt a square meter of rainforest, the Neotropic Foundation will give you:
- A unique donation certificate with the exact coordinates of your square meter, visible via Google Earth.
- Access to available information in the area that you are helping to protect.
- The freedom to visit the area (depending on the load capacity of the space).
By adopting a square meter of rainforest, you are acting as a Guardian of the Planet:
- You are helping to conserve biodiversity.
- You are supporting the communities that live near the conservation zones.
- You are playing an important role in the the creation of local jobs and the support of rainforest rangers.
Our pillars of action
Educate
We promote general public interest in science and why science is a powerful tool to help us in our pursuit of environment conservation at all ages, from primary and secondary school students to adults. Educational activities are very useful in stimulating changes in our habitudes and daily routines, increasing our consciousness of the automatic behaviors that we learn through mirroring other people, helping us to reconsider them from a more environmentally respectful perspective.
Through educational programs and activities, we help in raising awareness about environmental issues and generating active commitments towards the protection of biodiversity.
Investigate
Through scientific research projects, we generate knowledge that is essential to monitoring changes in the health statuses of forests, identifying possible threats, and developing more effective strategies for their conservation.
Influence
We promote solutions to mitigate the threats to forests, and provide essential scientific information to implement actions for their protection. We promote the creation of The Natural Reserves of Civil Society through the adoption of vast amounts of lands located on critical biodiversity hot spots that are vulnerable to deforestation, massive monoculture, as well as
substantial amounts of illegal mining.
Adopt a Square Meter of Rainforest:
Adopt a Square Meter of Rainforest provides a direct way of contributing to the conservation and recovery of the Colombian rainforests. These biological and cultural hot spots are unique, important at a global level, and in need of protection. Our foundation spearheads a wide range of environmental projects. We also work hand in hand with local communities and their inhabitants to improve the use of resources.
When you adopt a square meter of rainforest, the Neotropic Foundation will give you:
- A unique donation certificate with the exact coordinates of your square meter, visible via Google Earth.
- Access to available information in the area that you are helping to protect.
- The freedom to visit the area (depending on the load capacity of the space).
By adopting a square meter of rainforest, you are acting as a Guardian of the Planet:
- You are helping to conserve biodiversity.
- You are supporting the communities that live near the conservation zones.
- You are playing an important role in the the creation of local jobs and the support of rainforest rangers.
What is the importance of conservation?
Forests serve as mitigating factors for strong solar radiation and are key elements in mitigating climate change due to their role as carbon sinks. They also constitute a basis for socio-economic development, especially in the case of hydrological services. Our forests do invaluable things for us. In addition to producing oxygen and storing carbon dioxide, they also function as water reserves, protect us from floods, and prevent erosion. Despite their crucial role, the growing pressure exerted by society and the agro-industrial sector are is turning them into increasingly vulnerable ecosystems. Everyone can contribute to the mitigation of this trend and, in doing so, contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and rainforests by supporting our program, “Adopt a Square Meter of Rainforest”.
What is “Adopt a Square Meter of Rainforest?”
“Adopt a Square Meter of Rainforest” is an environmental program created by the Neotropic Foundation with the aim of generating public interest in the conservation and recovery of Colombian rainforest areas. Anyone can adopt one (1) square meter of land for just one Dollar or Euro (1U$ – €1). It is a one-time payment. There is no limit on how many meters a person can adopt.* (needs footnote/clarification)
Adopt a rainforest for someone else…
In loving memory: Give an absent loved one an entire forest. Donate a square meter and the life that lives in it will perpetuate the memory of your loved one.
An unconventional and meaningful gift: Every year, we are used to giving our loved ones conventional, traditional, and often expensive gifts that inevitably fade with time. When you adopt a rainforest for someone else, you are not only giving a wonderful gift, but you are also contributing in a meaningful way to environmental protection and conservation. Your donation will support life and the future of the planet in a way that no conventional gift can.
A sustainable commitment to your work team: Begin forging habits of responsibility and environmental awareness in your team of collaborators and clients and avoid giving traditional gifts, which unfortunately in some cases end up in the trash. Adopt a rainforest in their names and enjoy the priceless gratification of committing yourself to the well-being of planet Earth.
Adopt
Square meter of biosphere
= U$1
The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. The biosphere extends from the deepest root systems of trees to the dark environment of ocean trenches, to lush rain forests and high mountaintops.
Conservation Projects
The first conservation site of the Neotropic Foundation has an area of 2,149 hectares, is located in the municipality of Santa Rosa de Cabal (Risaralda – Colombia) is made up of the properties: Sacristan Chupaderos – El Peñol – La Libertad – La Selva and El Retiro. It is part of the damping zone of the Nevados National Park. In the upper part of the property is the paramillo volcano of Santa Rosa and like the other volcanoes of Los Nevados Park, it has unparalleled landscape wealth. Touring its ecological trails it is possible not only to appreciate the biodiversity of the area, but also to take advantage of medicinal hot springs, which have given renown to the paramillo.
