https://www.yataro.org/en/ Recent content on Yátaro - Natural Reserve - Choachí, Colombia Hugo en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/invisible_work/ Sat, 04 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/invisible_work/ The Other Side of Conservation at Yátaro https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/taking_the_power_back/ Tue, 02 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/taking_the_power_back/ Doing something with your hands, like when we were kids, isn&rsquo;t just therapeutic, but it also helps us regain confidence in ourselves. https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/soil/ Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/soil/ We continue our series on the &ldquo;Four Elements&rdquo; by writing about earth, specifically soil. https://www.yataro.org/en/about/ Thu, 23 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/about/ <h2 id="so-whats-a-yátaro">So&hellip; what&rsquo;s a Yátaro?</h2> <p>Yátaro is the Muisca word for the Black-billed mountain toucan (Andigena nigrirostris) which lives in the Andean region of Colombia, Perú, Ecuador and Venezuela.</p> <p> <figure style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://www.yataro.org/images/yataro_hu_dd548a5ef4580025.webp" alt="A Black-billed mountain toucan perched on an &ldquo;Arrayán&rdquo; tree"style="height: auto; max-width: 100%;" > <figcaption> Yátaro (Andigena nigrirostris)</figcaption> </figure></p> <p>Back in early 2021 we (Mafe &amp; Francisco) started fulfilling a dream that had been on our minds for several years: creating a natural reserve on the Colombian Andes. During the early days of the project we noticed a peculiar bird song that sounded almost like a baby crying, we couldn&rsquo;t see the bird, but the song was always with us when we were out planting a tree or gathering wood. We were aware there were Toucans in the area but never had heard the song of the Yátaro, so after asking people from the area we learned that the bird was known by that name and, even better, the indigenous name of the region we were settling in was called Valle de los Yátaros (Yataros Valley).</p> https://www.yataro.org/en/contact/ Thu, 23 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/contact/ <p>The reserve is not open to the public, however, if you are interested in learning more about us or have a project idea (creative, scientific, restorative, etc.) in which Yátaro can play a role, please contact us.</p> <p>You can reach us on <a href="mailto:hello@yataro.co">hello@yataro.co</a></p> https://www.yataro.org/en/whatwedo/ Thu, 23 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/whatwedo/ <h2 id="ecological-restoration">Ecological restoration</h2> <p> <figure style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://www.yataro.org/images/pinos_hu_bb9e905d8a4b8a50.webp" alt="Photo with several small trees of different species in black polyethylene bags."style="height: auto; max-width: 100%;" > <figcaption> Seedlings of cedar and &#39;Romeron&#39; pine for restoration.</figcaption> </figure></p> <p>We are facilitating the recovery of the original ecosystem through active and passive restoration methods. Additionally, we have actively planted native species that are no longer found in the region, and also allowed local species to reproduce naturally. With patience, we have let the land rest, recover, and naturally detoxify after decades of grazing and agrochemicals.</p> https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/out_of_control/ Wed, 01 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/out_of_control/ &ldquo;Restoration&rdquo; and &ldquo;control&rdquo; are ultimately concepts created by us humans. Nature, as we have already mentioned before, has its own agenda. https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/we_have_nursery/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/we_have_nursery/ There are projects that don&rsquo;t have to be complex to be functional and beautiful. In this post, we&rsquo;ll talk about the importance of having a sapling nursery and share the story of how we built it. https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/water/ Mon, 16 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/water/ The river, streams, and springs that surround us are essential for life, and we&rsquo;re finding ways to ensure that they remain healthy and vibrant. https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/pendulum_movement_of_life/ Mon, 02 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.yataro.org/en/posts/pendulum_movement_of_life/ Life in the reserve possesses a unique rhythm that defies our conventional notions of abundance and scarcity.