SAVING A CRUCIAL GATEWAY TO SOUTH AMERICA FOR NEOTROPICAL MIGRANTS III

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and adjacent Serrana de Perij in northernmost Colombia are highly biodiverse, isolated mountains located on the Caribbean coast.

In fact, 132 migratory bird species entering South America pass through these two mountains including the Cerulean, Golden-winged and Canada Warblers (CERW, GWWA, CAWA).

The El Dorado ProAves Reserve (3465ac) helps protect the northwestern spur of the Sierra Nevada while the Chamicero de Perij ProAves Reserve (1,851ac) protects the highest peaks of the Serrana de Perij - two montane forest refuges that are vital for migratory birds during migration and wintering periods.

Both reserves have faced tremendous challenges of illegal invasions and habitat degradation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ProAves will secure and consolidate the protection and restoration of these two critical bird reserves in the Sierra Nevada and Perij.

They will protect 5,316 acres of NMB habitatand restore a total of 944 acres from former pasturelands and degraded forest to intact forest to expand habitat for the focal species.

They will monitor CERW and GWWA populations 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.