Regenerate Native Ecosystems to Strengthen Local Communities
OIOC has been an active part of the Kamentsa community in the Tamabioy village of the Sibundoy Valley for 10 years. Under the leadership of Taita Juan Bautista, who has served as the community's governor three times, we have significantly impacted conserving native medicinal plant species. Our unique botanical garden in the region preserves over 100 endemic and endangered species. From this effort, the Renacer Verde project was born. We have successfully created a greenhouse housing 1,700 seedlings of trees, medicinal plants, and food crops, restored 1 hectare of native forest, and supported families in revitalizing their traditional chagra (food garden).
The Green Rebirth Project (GRP) is the continuity of this process as a transformative initiative for the social, environmental, and economic restoration of the Kamëntsá Indigenous community in the Alto Amazon region of Colombia. We focus on revitalizing biodiversity and strengthening food sovereignty for 369 Kamëntsá families. This initial 5-year project encompasses the critical phases of developing social and environmental tools to empower the Indigenous community. It lays the groundwork for a 10-year vision focused on the social and economic restoration of 1,200 families and 495 hectares of native forest.
Kamentsa, Biocultural Heritage of the World
The Green Rebirth Project (GRP) is an ambitious 495-hectare landscape restoration initiative in the Alto Amazon region of Colombia. It is designed to restore native forests, enhance food sovereignty, and fortify the cultural and ecological resilience of the Kamentsa community.
In recent years, the Alto Amazon has experienced severe environmental degradation driven by deforestation, monoculture agriculture, and climate change. These pressures have resulted in the loss of biodiversity, diminished food security, and a weakening of traditional knowledge and practices essential to the Kamentsa people. The region has also experienced a significant decline in native species and ecosystems vital for cultural and environmental health.
The Green Rebirth Project aims to reverse these trends by reforesting degraded lands, revitalizing traditional agricultural practices, and strengthening the biocultural connections between the Kamentsa people and their environment. This initiative encompasses restoring 495 hectares of ancestral lands, establishing a state-of-the-art greenhouse and seed bank, and developing a comprehensive biodiversity database. Our approach integrates ancient wisdom with modern scientific methods to achieve sustainable environmental and cultural outcomes.
The Alto Amazon is a critical region, contributing to the global ecological balance with its diverse flora and fauna. By safeguarding 10% of the world's drinking water and hosting a wealth of medicinal plants, this project will support local livelihoods and play a crucial role in global biodiversity conservation efforts.
The Green Rebirth Project is committed to creating a lasting impact through community engagement, ecological restoration, and the preservation of ancestral knowledge. We invite you to join us on this transformative journey to restore and protect one of the world's most vital ecosystems for future generations.
Impact and Sustainability
Anticipated Impact:
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Biodiversity Restoration: Cultivate 150,000 native seedlings annually and conserve 500 native plant species.
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Food Security: Enhance food resources and revive traditional farming for 369 families by Y5.
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Economic Development: Create jobs, expand markets, and establish cooperatives.
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Cultural Preservation: Support Kamentsa and Inga's cultural practices and community involvement.
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Sustainability: Develop a self-sustaining model and replicate success in other communities.
Income Streams:
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Agroforestry and Greenhouse Products
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Carbon Credits and Environmental Services
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Ethnobotanical Extracts
FUNDING GOALS
