Aerial shot of the Cristo Rey monument in Cali, Colombia ::. ©Jorge Martinez / Shutterstock
AFI drives the conservation of Cali’s iconic hills
As part of its international collaboration agenda, the Americas Flyways Initiative (AFI) -led by Audubon, BirdLife International and CAF-visited Cristo Rey Ecopark to learn about the progress of the restoration of Cali’s protected hills and explore joint opportunities to promote birdwatching and conservation of this strategic ecosystem.
The capital of Valle del Cauca received representatives of AFI, a tri-national alliance that promotes theconservation of migratory bird routes in the continent, and the National Audubon Society. During their tour of the Cristo Rey Ecopark, they learned about recent interventions that seek to consolidate Cali as a regional and international reference in environmental sustainability and conservation.
Officials from the District’s Social Housing and Habitat Secretariat explained the progress of the project, highlighting the restoration of the tutelary hills and Section 4, planned as a biodiversity corridor that connects the urban and rural areas. This section is currently undergoing technical studies for its construction.
The international delegates agreed that this initiative has great potential for avitourism and sustainable tourism, contributing to position Cali as a reference in the protection of its natural heritage.
“The goal is to turn Cali into a world reference in biodiversity.
In this way, global entities will be able to come and have an exchange of experiences, knowledge and investment.”
Marisol Ceballos
Public Space Leader at the Housing Secretary’s Office
According to Aurelio Ramos, Audubon’s general director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Valle del Cauca and Cali are strategic locations for migratory birds:
“Audubon, as an international organization that does conservation through nature, is very interested in working with this city and its community to preserve these hills and do it together,” he said.
With these advances, Cali strengthens its international conservation partnerships and opens new avenues for community participation and nature tourism development.
Cristo Rey Ecopark: a project in progress
Currently, the Section 2 of the Cristo Rey Ecopark, with 2.6 km of ecological trails, is currently open to the public, with plazas, walkways and gardens. The Section 3 is being executed with resources from the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca (CVC) and Section 5 of the Cristo Rey Ecopark, with 2.6 km of ecological trails, is open to the public. Section 5inaugurated in December 2024, received more than 70,000 visitors in its first month.
The Section 4 is progressing with studies and designs to complete the network of roads and community spaces, while Section 1 of the Section 1 has not yet begun its execution.
Highlights:
- The Monument to Christ the King, 26 meters high and weighing 464 tons, is the central icon of the project.
- From its terrace, more than 1,400 meters above sea level, you can contemplate a landscape that combines history, spirituality and biodiversity.