The Súmate al Bosque Festival took place in September 2025, organized by the Fundación Natural Unidos por la Conservación.
Despite several changes and logistical challenges, the foundation gave us a beautiful experience in harmony with the conservation of the tropical dry forest.
The network of allies, made up of several associations and companies, represents the diversity of ways to contribute to the cause of the tropical dry forest. Scientific associations dedicated to biodiversity monitoring and birdwatching participated, along with farmers’ associations, foundations focused on agroecological education, and companies offering products from the Montes de María region such as coffee, hibiscus, turmeric, and more.
This edition of the festival was organized in several stages.
First, on Saturday, September 20th, a tour of the Villa Bárbara farm served as the festival’s opening event. This farm showcased an example of sustainable and agroecological food production, combined with the conservation of the tropical dry forest.
Then, the main event took place in the city of Sincelejo, on Friday, September 26th. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Sincelejo’s main square, the network of tropical dry forest conservation allies presented and sold their products and handicrafts. The festival also featured elements of coastal culture, with performances by women’s singing groups and presentations by children.
Held in an open-air space, the festival allowed every visitor to explore the stands and talks offered by each organization, company, and foundation. One of the highlights of the festival was perhaps the bamboo structure of the stands, an architecture that reflects the forest-focused approach. Each participant — whether an organization, foundation, or company — is actively involved in preserving the tropical dry forest, its flora and fauna, helping local communities protect it, promoting sustainable economic alternatives, and educating others about the richness of this ecosystem, especially in terms of food resources.
Finally, the festival’s closing event will take place this Friday, October 4th, with a tour of the Cerro de Varsovia, organized by the association La Totumita de Oro from La Venta. The goal is to discover the biodiversity of this hill, especially the primates, and to showcase local culture through its gastronomy and music. 30 people participated in this forest tour, hoping to observe monkey species such as the white-headed tamarin (mono tití cabeciblanco) and the howler monkey (mono aullador), both of which are endemic to the Caribbean region and the tropical dry forest. Bird species like the keel-billed toucan (tucán pico iris) also made appearances, adding to the excitement of the tour and engaging with visitors.
The Envol Vert Foundation and La Totumita de Oro played an important role in organizing the activity and are motivated and committed to continuing this work.
By blending walks through the tropical dry forest and agroecological farms with activities like fairs, musical performances, and educational talks, the Súmate al Bosque Festival offered a beautiful experience of what tropical dry forest conservation can look like.
We would like to thank Fundación Unidos por la Conservación for their dedication and love for the tropical dry forest.
The Súmate al Bosque Festival took place in September 2025, organized by the Fundación Natural Unidos por la Conservación.
Despite several changes and logistical challenges, the foundation gave us a beautiful experience in harmony with the conservation of the tropical dry forest.
The network of allies, made up of several associations and companies, represents the diversity of ways to contribute to the cause of the tropical dry forest. Scientific associations dedicated to biodiversity monitoring and birdwatching participated, along with farmers’ associations, foundations focused on agroecological education, and companies offering products from the Montes de María region such as coffee, hibiscus, turmeric, and more.
This edition of the festival was organized in several stages.
First, on Saturday, September 20th, a tour of the Villa Bárbara farm served as the festival’s opening event. This farm showcased an example of sustainable and agroecological food production, combined with the conservation of the tropical dry forest.
Then, the main event took place in the city of Sincelejo, on Friday, September 26th. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Sincelejo’s main square, the network of tropical dry forest conservation allies presented and sold their products and handicrafts. The festival also featured elements of coastal culture, with performances by women’s singing groups and presentations by children.
Held in an open-air space, the festival allowed every visitor to explore the stands and talks offered by each organization, company, and foundation. One of the highlights of the festival was perhaps the bamboo structure of the stands, an architecture that reflects the forest-focused approach. Each participant — whether an organization, foundation, or company — is actively involved in preserving the tropical dry forest, its flora and fauna, helping local communities protect it, promoting sustainable economic alternatives, and educating others about the richness of this ecosystem, especially in terms of food resources.
Finally, the festival’s closing event will take place this Friday, October 4th, with a tour of the Cerro de Varsovia, organized by the association La Totumita de Oro from La Venta. The goal is to discover the biodiversity of this hill, especially the primates, and to showcase local culture through its gastronomy and music. 30 people participated in this forest tour, hoping to observe monkey species such as the white-headed tamarin (mono tití cabeciblanco) and the howler monkey (mono aullador), both of which are endemic to the Caribbean region and the tropical dry forest. Bird species like the keel-billed toucan (tucán pico iris) also made appearances, adding to the excitement of the tour and engaging with visitors.
The Envol Vert Foundation and La Totumita de Oro played an important role in organizing the activity and are motivated and committed to continuing this work.
By blending walks through the tropical dry forest and agroecological farms with activities like fairs, musical performances, and educational talks, the Súmate al Bosque Festival offered a beautiful experience of what tropical dry forest conservation can look like.
We would like to thank Fundación Unidos por la Conservación for their dedication and love for the tropical dry forest.
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