The 3,465-acre EL dorado proaves reserve helps protect the northwestern spur of the sierra nevada and the 2,156-acre chamicero DE perij proaves reserve protects the highest peaks of the serrana DE…

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $577,302 Project Grant to Fundacion Proaves De Colombia, a non-profit organization, under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation program (CFDA 15.635). This two-year grant, effective from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025, supports the expansion and protection of 5,660 acres of critical migratory bird habitat in Colombia's El Dorado and Chamicero de Perij reserves. Key activities include monitoring populations of cerulean, Canada, and golden-winged warblers, ensuring local law enforcement to prevent habitat degradation, and conducting public outreach to raise awareness of these threatened migratory bird species. The grant will also fund the restoration of 38.6 acres of degraded forest within the reserves. This project aims to safeguard an estimated population of 1,356 golden-winged warblers, 140 Canada warblers, and 269 cerulean warblers during their migration and wintering periods.

The 3,465-acre EL dorado proaves reserve helps protect the northwestern spur of the sierra nevada and the 2,156-acre chamicero DE perij proaves reserve protects the highest peaks of the serrana DE perij two montane forest refuges vital for cerulean warbler (cerw), canada warbler (cawa) and golden-winged warbler (gwwa) during migration and wintering periods. Both reserves have faced tremendous challenges from illegal invasions and habitat degradation during the covid-19 pandemic, including suffering from deforestation and dozens of other illegal activities. This project will expand (38.6 acres) and strictly protect 5,660 acres of NMB habitat (safeguarding an estimated population of 1,356 gwwa, 140 cawa, and 269 cerw) and restore a total of 38.6 acres from former clearings and degraded forest. Proaves will monitor populations of cerw and gwwa at the reserve, ensure proper local law enforcement to prevent illegal activities that could harm migratory birds, and raise awareness about the plight of these species through public outreach campaigns.