GeoPark commemorates Biodiversity Day in Colombia

Colombia.– Since arriving in Colombia in 2012 GeoPark has acknowledged the richness of the country’s biodiversity, and has worked with national and international experts in the planning and execution of programs that help preserve the natural environment of the different territories it operates in.

As Colombia marks Biodiversity Month, GeoPark shares some of the most important initiatives it has led and supported on this front, reflecting its commitment to caring for biodiversity.

Putumayo Biodiversity and Development

GeoPark has been part of the ‘Biodiversity and Development for Putumayo’ program since its creation in 2017 by Colombia’s National Entrepreneurs’ Association ANDI. The program focuses on protecting biodiversity in private sector operations, promoting the exchange of experiences, and helping to raise business environmental performance.

As part of the program, GeoPark helped establish the Puerto Asís Environmental Promoters’ Group, sponsoring a Diploma in Environmental Promotion with emphasis on Bird Observation and Conservation that is endorsed by the Technological Institute of Putumayo (ITP) and the Corporation for Sustainable Development of the Southern Amazon (Corpoamazonia).

In 2019 the Environmental Promoters’ Group headed work to monitor and identify biodiversity in the Platanillo block in Puerto Asís, with which the Company drew up a complete inventory of the species in the area of influence of its operation to develop preservation strategies. The work identified 400 species of birds belonging to 60 families and 24 orders, reflecting Putumayo’s environmental richness.

GeoPark is currently working with the Alexander von Humboldt Institute to continue promoting research and knowledge of Colombia’s biodiversity. The Company publishes biodiversity data through the Biodiversity Information System (SiB Colombia) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and is eighth in a ranking of 36 companies in the country that have provided the most data to the system.

Monitoring biodiversity in Casanare

For over five years GeoPark has worked hand in hand with the Orinoquia Biodiversa Foundation (FOB) to monitor the biodiversity of several species of flora and fauna in the area of influence of the Llanos 34 block in Tauramena and Villanueva, and develop preservation strategies.

As part of this work and together with the Mayor’s Office of Tauramena the Company made a characterization study of the biodiversity of different ecosystems in Tauramena. This project led

to the publication of the ‘Tauramena Natural’ catalogue of flora and fauna, an inventory of species in the area highlighting their ecological importance and how endemic and vulnerable they are.

Reforestation in Colombia

For the last two years GeoPark has worked with foundations, environmental organizations and the Regional Autonomous Corporations of the territories it operates in to plant saplings and support the Environment and Sustainable Development Ministry’s goal of planting 180 million trees.

For two consecutive years GeoPark has also supported volunteer efforts in the oil and gas industry that have planted more than 1,300 trees in natural reserves in Colombia.

The Global Big Day in Colombia

To help preserve Colombia’s biodiversity GeoPark took part in the Global Big Day 2022 – the largest annual birding competition in the world – and supported the birding days in Casanare and Putumayo departments in May. More than 950 bird species were registered in the two departments.

With these initiatives that protect biodiversity and increase knowledge of it, GeoPark pays tribute to Colombia’s natural riches and reiterates its commitment to continue fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals in the territories it operates in.

ABOUT GEOPARK

GeoPark is a leading Latin American oil and gas exploration and production company with assets in Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Brazil, and which has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2014. It is the second largest oil producer in Colombia with almost 8% of the country’s total production. Since its foundation GeoPark has had an Integrated Values System called SPEED, which summarizes its commitment in five critical areas: Safety, Prosperity, Employees, Environment and Community Development. SPEED has been key for GeoPark in attracting the best talent, being the preferred partner and the best neighbor, and developing a successful, safe and sustainable operation.

For more information: conexiones@geo-park.com