On the Colombian Andes, three hours north of Bogotá and near the Iguaque Lagoon where the Muisca world originated, is the La Cabaña Nature Reserve (Arcabuco - Boyacá).

Under the auspices of our ally Sumicol, OpEPA has been working with the Arcabuco community during the last three years, building community capacity and facilitating experiences to consolidate a sense of place and interpretative framework for the community to share this magical land as they consolidate productive projects supporting the local economy. Stories of the land and water (Voces del Agua Podcast) shared by communities have helped to build cohesion and bring human-nature relations into the center of the conversation.

During the last year, we have focused on enabling the nature Reserve a community learning center where actions for the social and natural well-being of the region are imagined and recognized. OpEPA is also designing and implementing an open-air nature classroom inspired by the fungi kingdom. 

One of these actions is the Ecoclub made up of young people aged 15 to 20 who have the mission of discovering actions and scenarios in Arcabuco to activate love for nature and regenerative action. This group of youth is preparing to also become hosts within the reserve and facilitate experiences for visitors.