Colombia Plants 123,000 Trees to Save Rare Andean Forest

High in Colombia's Andes mountains, a rare forest where ancient trees and spectacled bears make their home is getting a second chance.

The TUI Care Foundation just launched TUI Forest Colombia, a three-year restoration project that will plant 123,000 native trees across 112 hectares of degraded high Andean forest. The initiative targets the municipality of Urrao in Antioquia, where deforestation has left fragments of one of Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems vulnerable to fires and water scarcity.

The project isn't just about planting trees. It's designed to help local farming families thrive while protecting the land they depend on.

Through agroforestry, the initiative blends traditional crops like coffee and cacao with native trees and shrubs that provide shade, improve soil quality, and retain water. This approach keeps farms productive while surrounding forests stay protected, creating a win for both people and nature.

At the heart of the project sits a new nursery capable of growing 30,000 trees. The facility will serve double duty as both a production center and an educational hub where locals and visitors can learn about forest restoration.

The three tree species being planted, including the rare Polylepis frontinensis, are native to the region and exceptional at capturing carbon. Together, they'll help restore a biodiversity corridor spanning 60,000 hectares where jaguars, cougars, ocelots, and the South American spectacled bear roam.

The Ripple Effect

The transformation extends far beyond trees. The project will directly support 150 families in Urrao through immediate employment opportunities and long-term job creation totaling 17 full-time and 100 part-time positions over three years.

Training workshops in sustainable agriculture, plant propagation, and forest management will welcome 400 community members. Environmental education programs will reach local schools, ensuring the next generation understands the value of their natural heritage.

An innovative tourism component invites visitors to connect with conservation firsthand. Nature trails and bird-watching experiences will offer meaningful engagement with restoration work, while an awareness center at the nursery shares the project's story and impact.

TUI Forest Colombia joins its sister project in Peru as part of Acción Andina, the largest ecosystem restoration initiative across South America. Together, these efforts create a regional network tackling climate change and biodiversity loss while empowering mountain communities to become stewards of their landscapes.

This February, as the TUI Care Foundation celebrates "Forest February," this project stands as proof that conservation and community prosperity can grow from the same soil.