The scorching sun of Valledupar casts its golden light over the 710 hectares of the Mata de Lata Habitat Bank, a land where nature’s resilience defies the harsh challenges of time. Located in the southwestern region of Valledupar, this ecosystem faces the challenge of restoration in a country where Tropical Dry Forests have been reduced to less than 8% of their original extent.

Here, where dry seasons can last for months and life depends on its resistance to heat and scarcity, Orlando Contreras walks the trails with a vigilant eye and the determination of someone who understands the fragility of this land. “I know what it’s like to see the forest burn and be unable to do anything about it”, he says, with a deep voice that reflects his experience in facing the flames head-on.

Orlando is one of the guardians of the Mata de Lata Habitat Bank, but his bond with this land runs deeper than his work at Terrasos. He grew up in the region, learned to read the landscape through experience, and has witnessed the changes that have placed it at risk.

“Here, in the summer, everything is dry. It looks like a desert. But when it rains, everything turns green, and you’re reminded that the forest is still alive”, he says, pointing to the first shoots of native species such as  quebracho, corazón fino, sangregado, and roble.

Two years ago, Orlando lived through one of the toughest moments of his life. A wildfire broke out on the lands of this Tropical Dry Forest in one of the neighboring farms of Mata de Lata, consuming hectares of vegetation in just a few hours.

Wildfires are a constant threat in Tropical Dry Forests, already weakened by deforestation, overgrazing, and fragmentation. Without trees or sufficient vegetation cover, the soil loses its ability to retain water, making it even more vulnerable to fire.