13 July 2023
Gran Tierra Energy to Extend its Support to NaturAmazonas, the Leading Putumayo Reforestation Program Working to Protect the Colombian Amazon-Andean Rainforest
- Gran Tierra Energy (GTE) will make another important investment for the protection of the Amazon-Andean rainforest by extending our support of the NaturAmazonas project another 4 years.
- NaturAmazonas, the flagship conservation program started by GTE and Conservation International, has grown into an alliance of public and private institutions working together to address the root causes of deforestation.
- During the first 6 years of the project, GTE’s initial investment of $13 million USD has reforested and ecologically restored over 1,400 hectares of land and has planted over 1.2 million trees.
Villagarzón, Putumayo, July 13th, 2023. Gran Tierra Energy is pleased to announce it will be investing again in the protection and conservation of the Andean-Amazon rainforest by increasing its support to the NaturAmazonas project. The project, founded by GTE and world renowned non-governmental organization (NGO) Conservation International in 2017, has grown into an alliance of public and private institutions working together to address the root causes of deforestation, including closely with the regional environmental regulator Corpoamazonia.
Gran Tierra Energy will be extending its support another four years, to a project that has already yielded great results for the region. The overall objective of NaturAmazonas is to create the conditions required to protect and conserve Colombia’s Amazon region by planting millions of trees and conserving land to restore important forested areas previously affected by deforestation. The project also helps residents live and work in harmony with the forest, all while fostering partnerships with important regional and national institutions needed to implement long-term change at scale.
NaturAmazonas has already produced impactful results that have benefitted the environment and local communities in the following ways:
- Over 1.2 million trees have been planted.
- Over 1,400 hectares of land has been reforested and ecologically restored.
- More than 2,400 hectares of land has been included in conservation agreement areas.
- More than 2,300 families have benefited from project activities.
- Over 230 jobs have been created for members of local communities.
- 252 people have received technical training and certification in the raising of native bees for the production of honey.
- 365 eco-efficient stoves have been installed to reduce wood consumption.
Gran Tierra’s Vice President of Health Safety and Environment & Corporate Social Responsibility, Diego Perez Claramunt stated that, “Gran Tierra remains committed to making important investments and commitments for the support and protection of the environment near our operations. We began our reforestation work nearly a decade ago because one of our longstanding goals is to leave the environment in a better condition than when we arrived. Going Beyond Compliance and consistent implementation of our conservation strategy, which aligns with national initiatives, will continue to have a significant positive impact in the Amazon and in the local communities we work hand in hand with.”
The Senior Scientific Director of Conservation International, José Vicente Rodríguez, pointed out that, “NaturAmazonas is here to stay and we are planning new initiatives that are going to provide us with opportunity to reach more communities in this process.”
NaturAmazonas benefits not only the natural environment but also brings economic and social development to the Putumayo region. This initiative has provided financial and technical support that establishes sustainable agricultural practices, with connections to regional and national markets. While also supporting food security for local families, all while developing zoning areas for forest conservation and restoration activities. In 2022, 210 hectares of crops in sustainable agroforestry systems; 183 hectares of cacao and 27 hectares of palm hearts associated with acai were planted.
Luis Alexander Mejía, the Director of Corpoamazonía, celebrates the extension of this alliance and stated that, “it is a privilege to be able to participate not only with the program and its achievements but with the people who are the producers and actors, who are our reason for being. We are proud to be a partner within the NaturAmazonas alliance which has become a key alliance for Putumayo, it is an honor that our beneficiaries and producers can show their work.”
All of these important efforts are part of Gran Tierra Energy’s commitment to go Beyond Compliance which means that, wherever there are significant opportunities and benefits to the local communities, Gran Tierra voluntarily goes beyond what is legally required to protect the environment and provide social benefits because it is the right thing to do. NaturAmazonas is just one example of many initiatives where Gran Tierra is partnering with local communities, NGO’s and public institutions to create significant solutions that seek to improve the quality of life of those who neighbour our operations.