Reforestation day in Facatativá

The work was carried out from February 23 to 25 as part of the "Sowing Peace, Life, and Reforestation" Project, led by the University of Cundinamarca, the National Army through the 38th Battalion "Miguel Antonio Caro," and the GAE Foundation (Business Action Group). Four students completing their internships participated in the activity, which was assisted by soldiers.

“Our young people were responsible for preparing the planting and setting up the environmental management system at the battalion, where they are taught to recycle, separate waste, and preserve the biodiversity of the environment. It's a fifty-hour training program for the soldiers, which includes the corresponding certificate issued by the institution,” says Fredy Duque, a professor in the environmental engineering program.

The species planted were: chicalá, willow, and cajeto. “During the semester, these students must also implement a tracking and monitoring system detailing the growth of the aforementioned species, which have been previously grown in a nursery located at the battalion and managed by them.”.

Regarding the reaction of the people, most of whom are displaced, Duque says it has been very positive. “When they see the army arriving at the university, they are happy and very cooperative, because it is for their benefit.”.

He explains that this initiative aligns with the national government's development plan goal of planting 180 million trees over the next four years in restoration and recovery zones. "We contribute by planting approximately 15,000 trees every six months, which is a significant effort toward this objective.".

Finally, according to Duque, the goal of this work is for students to become transformative agents who contribute significantly to their environment, society, and nature—an aspect that is a fundamental part of the multidimensional learning fields of MEDIT.

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