As forests are fragmented by agriculture, roads, and development, wildlife populations become isolated—cut off from the food, shelter, and mates they need to survive. For cotton-top tamarins, which travel daily in search of fruits, insects, and tree exudates, connected forest corridors are essential. These natural pathways allow tamarins and other species to move safely between forest patches, maintain genetic diversity, and adapt to environmental changes.
When forests are not connected, animals must cross open pastures or roads to reach new habitat, putting them at high risk of predation, accidents, and capture for the illegal pet trade. By reconnecting fragmented forests, Proyecto Tití is restoring safe passages for wildlife while protecting one of Colombia’s most endangered ecosystems—the tropical dry forest.
Linking Two Strongholds of Conservation
Surrounding the Los Tities de San Juan Forest Reserve and the Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Colorados are isolated patches of forest and riparian habitat. Connecting these areas creates a continuous ecological corridor, joining two of the most important conservation areas for cotton-top tamarins in the Caribbean region of Colombia.
Led by Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Colorados), Fundación Herencia Ambiental Caribe, and Proyecto Tití, a regional plan was developed to link these forests through a network of conservation corridors. Together, we are part of the Proyecto de Conectividades Socio-Ecosistémicas, a science-based initiative supported by CARSUCRE and local partners, aimed at reconnecting key habitats and expanding protected areas across Bolívar and Sucre.
This collaborative model of conservation, built on shared goals and local engagement, has made it possible to safeguard one of Bolívar’s most important ecosystems totaling more than 7,000 acres (283 ha) and serves as a model for how diverse stakeholders can come together to protect Colombia’s natural heritage.
Conservation Corridors Partnership: Connecting with Landowners and Communities
The success of these corridors depends on the people who live alongside the forests. Proyecto Tití developed the Conservation Corridors Partnership working closely with local farmers and landowners who voluntarily set aside portions of their land for reforestation and restoration. Through conservation agreements, these landowners commit to protecting forested areas that become part of the corridor network.
In return, they receive support to make their farms more sustainable and productive—such as training in agroforestry, improved water systems, solar panels, and incentives like beehives, chickens, seeds, and mules. These benefits help families adopt eco-friendly practices while contributing directly to forest conservation.
So far, more than 200 landowners have joined the initiative, protecting nearly 2,720 acres (1,100 ha) of forest corridors. These partnerships are transforming the landscape—creating continuous habitat for wildlife and sustainable livelihoods for the people who care for it.
Wildlife on the Move
The results are remarkable. Camera traps and field observations have documented a growing diversity of species moving through these corridors—including cotton-top tamarins, armadillos, anteaters, and even pumas. Their presence shows that the restored corridors are functioning as intended—providing safe routes for movement, restoring ecological balance, and strengthening the health of the entire forest ecosystem.
Building a Connected Future: The Mega Corridor Project
Inspired by this success, Proyecto Tití is now leading one of its most ambitious initiatives yet—a mega corridor project that will link forests across the departments of Bolívar and Sucre. This effort will connect the Los Tities de San Juan Forest Reserve and the Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Colorados with the mountainous forests of the Coraza Reserve in Colosó, Sucre.
This corridor will form a vast, interconnected landscape—uniting protected areas, private reserves, and community-managed lands into a single network where wildlife can move freely and ecosystems can thrive. With the collaboration of local communities, landowners, NGOs, and environmental authorities, this project blends ecological science and grassroots engagement to build a sustainable, resilient future for Colombia’s tropical dry forests.
Community Collaboration and Pride
The creation of these corridors has been made possible through years of trust and collaboration. Local landowners not only protect and restore forest on their properties but also become conservation leaders through programs like TITÍ GUARDIANES, where they learn about the ecological and cultural importance of the cotton-top tamarin.
Together, we develop conservation action plans that include commitments such as never keeping tamarins as pets and maintaining their restored forest areas indefinitely. For many families, seeing wildlife return to land once used for cattle or crops is deeply rewarding—a living reminder that conservation benefits both people and nature.
A Future Rooted in Connected Landscapes
At Proyecto Tití, we envision a Caribbean landscape where forests are no longer isolated fragments but part of a thriving network of life. By protecting and connecting existing forest habitats, we are ensuring that cotton-top tamarins—and countless other species—can move safely across the land.
Connected forests strengthen entire ecosystems: they regulate water, prevent flooding, and buffer against climate change, supporting both biodiversity and local livelihoods. Every corridor planted, every partnership formed, and every forest protected brings us closer to a future where Colombia’s tropical dry forests are alive with movement, sound, and possibility—a landscape where wildlife and people flourish together.