The wetland in Saint George’s School is one of the natural treasures that the school has and is part of a beautiful ecosystem with significant potential. The school is an Urban Natural Reserve affiliated to RESNATUR which is dedicate to the conservation of reserves with respect to the species that inhabit them, their natural environment and their cultures. It is also committed to the reproduction of useful and endangered species; and the sustainable development of social, economic and technological eco-friendly alternatives that improve the quality of life of the local inhabitants.

In 1964, the School relocated to Suba, to a site that was made up of fields and trees with a hillside covered in savannah woodland. At that time there was a brick factory that extracted clay to make the bricks. This gave rise to an expanse of land that eventually filled up with rain and subterranean water thus forming the SGS lake.

A few years ago, PRAE (Projects for School Environments) created a Management Plan for the woodland area of the School. This consisted of the restoration of the wetland and the lake and the conservation of all the elements that make up the ecosystem, guarantying its survival. It is currently used for environmental, educational purposes.

Over the last 50 years this wonderful place has evolved. Today it is surrounded by vegetation and biodiversity. It forms part of a network of ecosystems that are fundamental to Bogotá and its surroundings, made up of ‘El Cerro de la Conejera’, ‘El Bosque de las Mecedes,’ ‘El Humedal La Conejera,’ ‘El Aula ambiental Mirador de los Nevados’ and the Thomas Van der Hammen Reserve.

In other words, the School has a live classroom where everyone can also benefit from a pure and natural environment. The maintenance and conservation of this refuge of biodiversity is furthermore assured by the Management Team of the School.

Taken from the article ‘Humedales de Bogotá,’ (Wetlands of Bogotá).