COP16 was a truly unforgettable moment for FUNDAEC — a global stage where we could share our decades of learning on biodiversity and sustainable development. Over the course of two weeks, our team engaged in vital conversations on conservation, ecological restoration, and education, while welcoming hundreds of visitors to our stand in the vibrant Pacific, Biodiverse, and Cultural district. Each encounter became an opportunity to reflect together on humanity’s shared responsibility to care for the planet and reimagine our relationship with nature.
Native Forest Project
In the Blue Zone, FUNDAEC highlighted the Native Forest Project, developed in close collaboration with the Bahá’í Community of Colombia. This initiative stands as a living example of what it means to restore balance between human communities and their ecosystems. By reviving native species and regenerating degraded landscapes, the project not only conserves biodiversity but also nurtures a spirit of collective stewardship. Its recognition in the international report United for Nature, prepared by Faiths for Biodiversity, affirmed its contribution to the global discourse on faith, ecology, and regenerative practices.
Launch of Weaving a Fabric of Unity
On October 25, in the midst of COP16, FUNDAEC celebrated a historic milestone: the launch of the book Weaving a Fabric of Unity, marking our 50th anniversary. The volume gathers five decades of insights, innovations, and stories from communities that have embraced education as a path toward transformation. The timing of this launch — alongside the world’s most important gathering on biodiversity — was deeply symbolic. It allowed close collaborators and friends, already present for COP16, to join us in honoring a journey that continues to inspire individuals and communities to see themselves as protagonists of both ecological and social renewal.
About the Report
Since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), faith-based organizations have continued to play a leading role in efforts to restore degraded ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and mobilize their communities to learn about and care for the natural world.
With the global focus now shifting to implementation of the Framework, this report shines a light on the vital contributions of faith-inspired organizations around the world that are advancing a nature-positive planet and fostering a renewed relationship with the environment.
Within this context, the report features the “Native Forest Project” developed by the Bahá’í Community of Colombia and FUNDAEC in Agua Azul, Cauca. At FUNDAEC, we refer to this initiative as “NATIVO – Native Forest of Knowledge.” This project seeks to establish an 11-hectare native forest adjacent to the Bahá’í House of Worship. Over time, it has evolved into an educational and community hub dedicated to rehabilitating degraded soil, restoring native species, and creating a natural sanctuary for biodiversity.
Through community-led workdays (mingas), a local nursery for threatened species, and a two-kilometer scenic trail, the project weaves together environmental conservation with the cultural and spiritual identity of the region—offering a living space where nature, faith, and inner reflection come together.
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