Nariño department of Colombia, January 2025
For several decades, the department of Nariño in southern Colombia has been particularly hard hit by deforestation and destruction of the páramos, unique mountain ecosystems that provide up to 70% of the country’s drinking water. By way of example, half of the town of Ipiales, situated at an altitude of 3,000 metres with a population of over 120,000, is experiencing major water shortages, during the summer of 2024.
To curb these water shortages, the páramos must be protected and the High Andean Forest restored. In addition to preservation, since 2023 more than 50,000 native trees have been planted thanks to A Tree for You. The final part of this project involves raising awareness among future generations of the importance of forests and their biodiversity, especially to ensure long-term sustainability of reforestation initiatives.
This is why Impulso Verde, a local partner of A Tree for You, set up the ‘My Friends the Trees’ (Mis Amigos los Árboles) project in 2020, aimed at children aged 6 to 11. Since its creation, almost 8,000 children have taken part in an educational workshop at their school, mainly in the towns, villages, and hamlets of Nariño.
“We are convinced children are the best ambassadors for change in their environment. Also, given the massive loss of biodiversity, this environmental education initiative evokes awareness not only among children, but among parents, families, and friends too,” says Antoine Gérigné, founder of Impulso Verde.
The project aims to raise awareness and inform children about vital importance of preserving forests and reforestation. Its action takes place in two stages. The first is a fun, participatory workshop aimed at :
- recognising the functions of a tree and the relationships between trees and also with their environment,
- understanding the relationship we have with trees and the impact we can have on forests, and
- drawing a tree, which is then uploaded to the ‘My Friends the Trees’ website to ‘grow’ a forest of drawings.
The second stage is a practical activity linked to the environment, like organising a planting day, visiting a tree nursery, or taking part in a recycling activity.
“Children’s awareness of the importance of caring for nature in their daily lives is astonishing,” explains Laura Rubio, biologist and head of environmental education at Impulso Verde. Every year, she trains and supervises a group of young leaders in the Nariño region. They in turn run the educational workshops and become spokespeople for the initiative.
The partnership with A Tree for You has so far raised awareness among more than 300 children. Most of them have participated with their families in planting days organised by Impulso Verde in several villages in the reforestation programme area.
“We strongly believe the children among whom we are promoting awareness as part of the reforestation programme are the seeds of future guardians of the forests and biodiversity,” sums up Laura Rubio.
