Earth Day: planting four million trees celebrates the date in Colombia

This Friday, April 22, International Mother Earth Day is commemorated, according to the United Nations Organization, one more day to make peace with nature and remember that climate change and other small actions that each of the planet's inhabitants takes have an impact on the environment. With this in mind, in different cities of Colombia there are special activities and events within the framework of this special day.

Throughout the national territory, as an initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Great National Sowing will be carried out through more than 400 planned activities. The idea is that myrtle, shrimp grape, oak, cedar, gualanday, cañaguate, laurel and granadillo will be planted in nearly 200 municipalities in the country, among other species of native ecosystems.

“I invite all Colombians to participate in this Great National Sembraton. Recovering, restoring and conserving ecosystems and degraded areas is everyone's job,” said Environment Minister Carlos Eduardo Correa.

The different entities of the District are carrying out pedagogical campaigns and spaces to promote care for the environment. For example, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. this April 22 at the Bogotá Botanical Garden, a 'Recyclatón' day is taking place where interested parties can bring materials such as plastics, paper, cardboard, glass and metals to the plaza of the place, which must be delivered completely clean.

“We are committed to the promotion and construction of environmental citizenship, based on the adoption of friendly practices at home, work, educational spaces and other settings where it is possible to make efficient use of resources and respect the waste cycle,” said the director of the Botanical Garden Martha Liliana Perdomo.

But this is not all, the exhibition “Colombia at the Top” will also be permanently opened in the area of the superparamo of the Tropicario Distrital of the Bogotá Botanical Garden. Attendees will find there a collection of 20 nature and heritage images taken by Colombian photographer César David Martínez. Images that portray a journey through the highest peaks of Colombia made by the artist since 2006.

The Ministry of Environment has recalled that Mayor Claudia López has invited citizens to change their habits to contribute to the protection and conservation of wetlands, streams, mountain parks and other elements of the city's Main Ecological Structure, where different species of flora and fauna inhabit .

In addition, the organization will present the digital publication “Urban Stories of Bogota's Ecosystems”, a compilation of 15 stories written by children, young people and adults, reflecting their experiences and experiences in the city's green spaces.

In the city of eternal spring it was surprising that this year different decisions were made, for example, there will be no Day without a Car, as is traditionally established on April 22 in the capital of Antioquia. This is the third time that the activity has not been carried out in the city, since for 2020 and 2021 it was suspended due to the health emergency.

However, ISA and its companies have announced that, over the next few days, they will be planting more than 7,000 trees in strategic areas of the country such as the Paramo de Belmira, Puerto Berrío, El Peñol, Rionegro and the El Silencio biological reserve in Yondó. “We understand that the time to act for the planet is now and we are committed to its care. At ISA, in addition to protecting more than 828,000 hectares of forest in Latin America, we created a community with Corporate Volunteering in which together we positively impact nature and leave a better planet for future generations”, the company's statement reads.

In the district of Los Andes, in Cali, according to the Government of Valle del Cauca, this Friday the Third World Tree Planting Marathon will take place. The idea is that 2,000 trees will be planted in the planned areas and that the participation of citizens, community of the sector, students and environmental organizations be involved.

“Countries from South and Central America will participate in this activity, and in Colombia El Valle will lead this marathon in the country. We hope to plant 2,000 trees, contributing to the national goal of 180 million and joining the great sowing that the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development,” explained Nasly Fernanda Vidales, Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Valley.

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