Medellín’s commitment to climate change mitigation is reinforced as the city’s administration increases its number of natural reserves from 13 to 16 located within its five districts. These new protected areas are situated in Santa Elena, San Antonio de Prado, and San Sebastián de Palmitas. The addition extends the protected lands from 2,781 hectares to 2,847 hectares, ensuring the longevity of these areas crucial for water resource regulation.
Lina Marcela Rendón, the Deputy Secretary of Renewable Natural Resources, stated, “We are ensuring the protection of our natural resources, fauna, and flora. By controlling human intervention, we aid in the conservation of these areas, striving to care for all forms of life.”
The 16 reserves are divided across Medellin: four in Altavista, three in San Antonio de Prado, four in San Sebastián de Palmitas, three in Santa Elena, and two in San Cristóbal. 35 ‘guardacuencas’ are entrusted with the oversight of these reserves, ensuring proper maintenance, boundary verification, biodiversity monitoring, and fostering environmental awareness through eco-pedagogical activities.
John Jeiler Correa, the technical coordinator of the San Antonio de Prado and Santa Elena reserves, emphasized the significance of expanding from 13 to 16 reserves for the conservation of ecosystems surrounding the metropolitan area and the District. He said these reserves play multiple roles, from climate regulation to keeping ecosystems healthy. Their protection ensures the preservation of water sources vital for aqueducts. Regular patrolling is essential to prevent deforestation, fauna and flora extraction, and hunting.
During this administration, 175,000 trees have been planted in urban and rural areas to enhance the District’s ecological connectivity, improve air quality, and offset climate change impacts. They also introduced strategies to care for 4,319 hectares of native forests, such as the Payment for Hydrological Environmental Services (PSAH), which provides financial incentives to landowners of environmentally significant properties to ensure their longevity.