Empowering Conservation Efforts
Las Mercedes
Reserva Natural de las Aguas
“Engaged peace is good climate”
A Manifesto for Inner and Outter Ecology
This living manifesto redefines our relationship with nature and with ourselves. It calls for both internal and external ecology, emphasizing a balanced relationship between humanity and nature. An ArtEmbassy Project.
Las Mercedes Project video / 2023 / 6’20’’
THE LIVING MANIFESTO:
Mural Social / Ecology
In 2024, as part of the Tangente Festival in St. Pölten, Austria, the “Mural Social Ecology” was created. The 250m² artwork that serves as a visual call for societal change, was painted using eco-friendly colors during a three-week workshop led by Emmerich Weissenberger, guided by shared values, and involving young people from the region. Its message highlights the interconnectedness of inner and outer peace, as well as inner and outer ecology, much like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for society require the application of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) in each of us: “Engaged Peace is Good Climate!”
- Dignitas (Dignity): Recognizing and respecting the value of every individual and all life.
- Inner Work: Emphasizing personal development as a catalyst for meaningful societal progress.
- Circularité (Circular Economy): Advocating for systems that prioritize sustainability and resource cycles.
- Buen Vivir (The Good Life): Promoting well-being grounded in balance and collective care.
- Fair Share: Ensuring equity in resources and opportunities.
THE LIVING WORK:
Las Mercedes Nature Reserve
Las Mercedes Reserva Natural de las Aguas is an international art and climate protection initiative that unites people from across the globe. This model project merges art, science, and social efforts to purchase or lease land and protect precious natural areas. The project embodies the principle of nature culture: a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
The reserve is not only a protected area but also a social, ecological, and artistic space – a “social sculpture” – where the concept of the good life comes to life. Here, nature and human existence blend harmoniously, transforming a lived dream into reality.
THE LIVING UTOPIA:
Nature Culture in Action
The core area of the Las Mercedes Nature Reserve is located in central Colombia, between Medellín and Bogotá, within the Magdalena Medio valley. Surrounded by majestic plateaus, this valley is a true source of life, nourished by countless springs that infuse the land with vitality. Situated at an altitude of 300 to 700 meters above sea level, Las Mercedes is a vital remnant of Colombia’s nearly vanished tropical dry forest ecosystem, preserving rich biodiversity.
The Las Mercedes Foundation brings together Indigenous communities, small farmers, landowners, universities, institutions, companies, scientists, and artists. Its strategy protects forests on selected estates in central Colombia and along the northern Caribbean coast (approximately 18,000 hectares by 2023). This initiative reduces deforestation, enhances carbon storage, and provides benefits such as local income, biodiversity conservation, and water preservation.
Nature Culture as a Collective Effort
Las Mercedes is the result of the dedication of artists, scientists, social entrepreneurs, farmers, interns, and supporters from both the old and new worlds. Through their contributions and donations, driven by a shared love for the environment and community, this significant protected area has been established and is sustainably maintained. Together, they knead the social sculpture, actively shaping a harmonious relationship between nature, culture, and society, demonstrating the power of collective effort in preserving both the natural world and cultural practices.
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