PALMARITO FOUNDATION AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO PRIVATELY PROTECTED AREAS (PPAs) IN COLOMBIA Alejandro Olaya Velásquez Director Palmarito Foundation The Palmarito Foundation was created in 2008, with the objective of defending the interests of the PPA Palmarito(2300 has). Located at Casanare Department, combines traditional cattle farming with conservation of the natural ecosystems. We have the support of GHL Group, the largest hotel chain in Latin America, and many other partners. APP´s promoted by the Palmarito Foundation PROMOTING APP´s # Name Municipality/Departament Area (ha) San Luis de Palenque 1 Santana 19.867 (Casanare) Since 2008, Palmarito has encouraged other private 2 San Pablo y Boral Orocué (Casanare) 21.464 owners to stablish new PPAs, specially in the Llanos 3 La Aurora Paz de Ariporo (Casanare) 17.258 region. 4 Palmarito Orocué (Casanare) 2266 5 Corocito Orocué (Casanare) 188 With our own resources or with the help of partners and 6 Los Musos Orocué (Casanare) 112 donors, Palmarito has helped to declare 19 PPAs 7 La Reforma Orocué (Casanare) 222 covering 78,464 hectares (194.338,5 acres). 8 Rancho Paravare Orocué (Casanare) 501 9 Cachicamo La Primavera (Vichada) 1.283 In 2012, the Palmarito Foundation was registered as 10El Gavilán La Primavera (Vichada) 1.265 Articulating Organization of PPAs 11Santana La Primavera (Vichada) 1.267 12Bojonawi Puerto Carreño (Vichada) 5.109 13La Ventana Puerto Carreño (Vichada) 1.293 14El Arrullo San José de Fragua (Caquetá) 22 Hacienda Villa 15 Morelia (Caquetá) 762 Mery 16Arizona Trinidad (Casanare) 2.800 17Casambá Orocué (Casanare) 200 18Araguato La Primavera (Vichada) 1.292 19Arecua La Primavera (Vichada) 1.293 20Yurumí Puerto López (Meta) 555 TOTAL 79.019 PROMOTING APPs GEOGRAPHIC SITUATION OF THE PPAs PROMOTED BY THE PALMARITO FOUNDATION IN THE LLANOS REGION LA CAMPANA EL PAÑUELO LA AURORA Rio Meta LA VENTANA LA PRIMAVERA Rio Orinoco EL GAVILÁN EL CACHICAMO YOPAL STA ROSALÍA SANTANA SANTANA PALMARITO LA REFORMA RANCHO PARAVARE CASAMBÁ OROCUÉ LOS MUSOS COROCITO PROMOTING APPs ‐ Palmarito acts as an intermediary between the owners and National Parks in the process of registering the property as PPA. We also advises on the zoning of PPPs. ‐ In twelve reserves, biological studies were carried out to define the conservation objectives and to elaborate a geographical characterization. With these inputs the Management Plan of these reserves was elaborated. PPAs AT FLOODED LLANOS LANDSCAPE LA REFORMA PALMARITO RANCHO PARAVARE LA AURORA LOS MUSOS SANTANA COROCITO PPAs AT ALTILLANURA LANDSCAPE EL PAÑUELO CACHICAMO LA CAMPANA LA VENTANA EL GAVILÁN SANTANA PRIVATE PROTECTED AREAS NETWORK With funding from the Fondo Acción (Action Fund), Palmarito will implement a network platform for PPAs in the Orinoquia, that includes: ‐ Elaborate a work plan for the implementation of the network work platform. ‐ Elaborate an operation manual of the network, that includes its regulation and schemes of governance and participation. ‐ Identify and develop action programs aimed at consolidating a network financial sustainability strategy, associated with ecotourism, forest carbon and sustainable agriculture. ‐ Design and initiate the implementation of strategies to exchange knowledge and information among network participants. ‐ Represent the platform in the spaces that are required and that contribute to its promotion and consolidation at a regional and national level. ‐ Increase the number of PPAs in the region. PRIVATE PROTECTED AREAS NETWORK ‐ The network is called RAPP‐O (Red de Áreas Protegidas Privadas de la Orinoquia). ‐ Its main objective will be the development of green businesses for the conservation of the ecosystems of the PPAs: ecotourism, sustainable use of native species of flora and fauna (sarrapia (Dipteryx odorata), ornamental fishes, capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)) and to guide voluntary and obligatory environmental compensations of public and private companies. Dipteryx odorata Mojarra (Papiliochromis ramirezii) Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AT THE PRIVATE PROTECTED AREAS NETWORK Palmarito works for the conservations of two critically endangered reptiles in the Orinoquia, the Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) and the Giant River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa). We have a conservation breeding center at Bioparque Wisirare and we have released 12 crocodiles and 200 turtleso in tw PPAs of our network. Release of Orinoco crocodiles at PPA La Aurora Release of juvenile Giant River Turtles at PPA La Reforma INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE CONSERVATION ‐ With the dual objective of contributing to reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG)and encouraging conservation in the PPAs, Palmarito has developed the program “Pioneros –CO2” (Pioneers – CO2) through which companies can compensate their GHG emissions in the reserves of the Palmarito network. ‐ With the help of the Fondo Patrimonio Natural (Natural Heritage Fund) and the company Contreebute, two calculators have been developed to measure the GHG in the events of the hotel chain GHL and in the construction of houses made by the company Conconcreto. INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE CONSERVATION STEP 1. Measuring the carbon footprint In construction industry we measure the equivalent CO2 generated in each part of the building, including earthworks and transport of materials. For events in hotels the carbon footprint is measured by calculating the following parameters: waste generation, use of energy and water in the rooms, guest accommodation and consumption and final disposal of food and beverages INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE CONSERVATION STEP 2. Compensation proposal to the company: ‐ Compensate for 70% of emissions. ‐ Pay for conservation of a certain amount of hectares in a PPA (We have calculated that in each hectare of flooded savanna forest 250 tons of CO2e/year are captured). ‐ Installation of ecological kitchens (60% decrease in fuelwood consumption) to protect dry Caribbean forest. INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE CONSERVATION STEP 3. Agreement ‐ An agreement is reached with the owner not to use a certain number of hectares for a set period STEP 4. Monitoring ‐ Palmarito tracks the conserved forest and installs trap cameras to monitor its fauna. ‐ The donor receives this information and can follow up on his / her contribution in this website: INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE CONSERVATION ‐ Co‐benefits: ‐ Along with the forest, we conserve water, oxygen and wildlife. CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE LIONFISH POPULATIONS IN MARINE NATIONAL PARKS ‐ The lionfish is an invasive species that negatively affects fish and coral populations in the Colombian Caribbean. ‐ During the last five years, the Palmarito Foundation has carried out a campaign to promote the fishing of these species at three Natural National Parks (PNN Tayrona, PNN Corales del Rosario, PNN Old Providence Mc Bean Lagoon) ‐ Along with the most recognized chefs of Colombia, the consumption of this species is being promoted. ‐ We have published informative videos and books with recipes. THANK YOU!!.