Our history, present and future
We are a biological reserve, sustainability project and accommodation. The name CAOBA comes in honor of the Mahogany tree. In Colombia, Mahogany is a practically extinct tree due to its very fine wood. Among the trees that we contribute for reforestation, Mahogany is the tree that we donate the most.
STORY
The history of the caoba reserve began in 1999 when the marine biologist Eberhard Wedler and his wife discovered the completely deforested land, but with many possibilities for environmental development due to being on the river's edge. Thus began a nursery in which many native and exotic seeds were sown as part of a collection. Small lakes were also built to grow aquatic plants and fish. All this with the objective of generating knowledge for the community in general.
The reserve has 30 hectares of which 24 were left for natural reforestation as a model reforestation trial. In recent times, typical dry forest fruit trees have been planted as food for forest animals. The other 6 hectares were manually reforested where the collection has been formed.
For 10 years the reserve was opened to the public as a space where people go to rest and also to learn, in such a way that the visitor is completely in love with nature and willing to protect it.
PRESENT
Currently, Caoba is a place full of trees where you walk amidst different species with abundant and recovered wildlife. With our camera traps we have been able to observe the great diversity of fauna that has returned to our tropical dry forest, one of the ecosystems most impacted by man. In Caoba and in the forest of neighboring farms, 5 different typical American felines (jaguar, puma, jaguarundi, ocelot and tigrillo), rodents such as ñeque and guartinaja, deer, mountain fox, tairas, anteater among others. All this wildlife 10 km from Santa Marta. We also have animals that cannot be released and find a refuge in Caoba, but we have also been the space for releases organized by foundations and government institutions.
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Caoba has a nursery in which trees and seeds are permanently being donated to those who are interested in reforesting.
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We work with universities offering a space for field trips and research projects.
FUTURE
- Continue generating in our visitors the importance of preserving the forest and conserving its species, creating in them the urgent need to maintain ecosystems for the survival of all species including man
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- Strengthen and extend the protection zone for the jaguar and other felines through community collaboration and outreach programs by the government and / or foundations interested in collaborating.
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- To be able to expand our ties with national and international universities, as well as colleges.
Get to know the book written by Dr.rer.nat. Eberhard Wedler.
80% of the plants are in Caoba.
"Atlas of Medicinal Plants wild and
cultivated in the tropical zone " in spanish.
Are you interested in buying it? Write us
Compilation of videos of the Caoba Biological Reserve
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil but because of them who do nothing to prevent it"
- A. Einstein
Caoba Sustainable
It is our responsibility to observe the impact we leave, be it environmental, cultural and / or economic. Deal with our ability to live a more sustainable life. At Caoba we have standards to be followed by our guests and visitors, as well as ourselves.
