Story
Tolima and Caldas Regions
Tolima region is located in central-west Colombia. Local soils are some of the most nutrient-rich for planting coffee trees, offering some exotic flavours which are quite unique to the region. Tolima's farmers have made the switch from primarily working large yield crops to dealing with micro lots that require more care and dedication. Caldas stands as a distinguished coffee-producing region, celebrated for cultivating some of the world's most exquisite coffees. Its climate is characterized by warmth and humidity throughout a significant part of the year, with average annual temperatures ranging from 13°C to 24°C. Thanks to its proximity to the Equator, Caldas enjoys minimal temperature fluctuations year-round.
Reforest Project
Launched by Forest at El Vergel in the regions of Northern Tolima and the west of Caldas, the Reforest Project is reshaping the future of specialty coffee, being a direct response to climate instability and economic uncertainty in the regions. With 30% of Tolima’s coffee lands at risk due to shifting weather patterns, and rising temperatures threatening ideal growing conditions, immediate action is necessary.
Launched by Forest at El Vergel in the regions of Northern Tolima and the west of Caldas, the Reforest Project is reshaping the future of specialty coffee, being a direct response to climate instability and economic uncertainty in the regions. With 30% of Tolima’s coffee lands at risk due to shifting weather patterns, and rising temperatures threatening ideal growing conditions, immediate action is necessary.
The goal is to plant 17,000 endemic guamo trees, approximately 100 trees per hectare, by 2025 and introduce at least one seedling of a new coffee varietal on every participating farm.
Apart from these, there are other goals taking a place such as:
Restoring native ecosystems
Preventing soil erosion on steep terrains
Providing shade to mitigate rising temperatures
Supporting biodiversity and natural pest control
Why Guamo Tree?
Guamo is an endemic, fast-growing shade tree with broad environmental benefits. This tree is more than just a canopy, it's a tool for regeneration, climate adaptation, and stronger coffee. Among its main advantages are:
Fixes 50–150 kg of nitrogen per hectare annually
Enhances soil aeration and water retention
Offers 50–80% shade, lowering crop temperatures by 5–7°C
Controls erosion on slopes
Supports beneficial insects and birds
Reduces need for synthetic fertilizers via nutrient recycling