THE FOUNDER

THE FOUNDER

THE FOUNDER

DR. Michel Boutsen

DR. Michel Boutsen

DR. Michel Boutsen

(Leuven, February 2, 1958) Director and founder of the La Macarena Botanical Garden and the Michel Boutsen Foundation. Head of Service, Maxillofacial Surgeon, Botanist, socio-environmental activist, Belgian writer, and lecturer.


His inclination towards Botany arose at the age of just ten, and from there, his desire to explore other places in the world such as Europe, Asia, and South America, giving him the opportunity to see and learn about different species. He is recognized as the 'Man of the Trees'"

(Leuven, February 2, 1958) Director and founder of the La Macarena Botanical Garden and the Michel Boutsen Foundation. Head of Service, Maxillofacial Surgeon, Botanist, socio-environmental activist, Belgian writer, and lecturer.


His inclination towards Botany emerged at the age of just ten, and from there, his desire to explore other places in the world such as Europe, Asia, and South America, giving him the opportunity to see and learn about different species. He is recognized as the 'Man of the Trees'."

(Leuven, February 2, 1958) Director and founder of the La Macarena Botanical Garden and the Michel Boutsen Foundation. Head of Department, Maxillofacial Surgeon, Botanist, socio-environmental activist, Belgian writer, and lecturer.


His inclination towards Botany arose at the age of just ten, and from there, his desire to explore other places in the world such as Europe, Asia, and South America, giving him the opportunity to see and learn about different species. He is recognized as the 'Man of the Trees'"

In 2012, Michel Boutsen arrived in La Macarena - Meta - Colombia with the first group of tourists received in the area at that time. His initial thought was, 'Every piece of forest here is a botanical garden.' Two years later, he started a project dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity. This dream began with the purchase of a farm in the same region, with clear objectives such as the restoration and studies of fauna and flora. These tasks aimed at agroecology, applied microbiology, and food sovereignty.

Subsequently, the place becomes a recognized reserve under the auspices of PNN (Colombia's National Natural Parks). Since then, Dr. Michel Boutsen has been weaving a network with the only mission that touched his heart from the beginning: conservation. He is clear that without the environment, there is no society, and without a society aware of this, there is no environment (spaces where life is sustained).

In 2012, Michel Boutsen arrived in La Macarena - Meta - Colombia with the first group of tourists received in the area at that time. His initial thought was, 'Every piece of forest here is a botanical garden'. Two years later, he started a project dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity. This dream began with the purchase of a farm in the same region, with clear objectives such as the restoration and studies of fauna and flora. These tasks aimed at agroecology, applied microbiology, and food sovereignty.

Subsequently, the place becomes a recognized reserve under the auspices of PNN (Colombia's National Natural Parks). Since then, Dr. Michel Boutsen has been weaving a network with the sole mission that touched his heart from the beginning: conservation. He is clear that without the environment, there is no society, and without a society conscious of this, there is no environment (spaces where life is sustained).

In 2012, Michel Boutsen arrived in La Macarena - Meta - Colombia with the first group of tourists received in the area at that time. His initial thought was, 'Every piece of forest here is a botanical garden'. Two years later, he started a project dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity. This dream began with the purchase of a farm in the same region, with clear objectives such as the restoration and studies of fauna and flora. These tasks aimed at agroecology, applied microbiology, and food sovereignty.

Subsequently, the place became a recognized reserve under the auspices of PNN (Colombian National Natural Parks). Since then, Dr. Michel Boutsen has been weaving a network with the only mission that touched his heart from the beginning: conservation. He is clear that without the environment, there is no society, and without a society conscious of this, there is no environment (spaces where life is sustained).

NUESTRO EQUIPO

NUESTRO EQUIPO

NUESTRO EQUIPO

Given that we are so many, we could also make a difference. No society, no environment.

Given that we are so many, we could also make a difference. No society, no environment.

Given that we are so many, we could also make a difference. No society, no environment.

CO-FOUNDER

CO-FOUNDER

CO-FOUNDER

Diego Pedraza

Diego Pedraza

Diego Pedraza

Diego José is an anthropologist graduated from the National University of Colombia, with over 8 years of experience in academic research on the pre-Hispanic cultural history in the lowlands of Colombia, the Orinoco, and the Amazon. He has worked for government and private entities in the study, characterization, management, and conservation of archaeological areas in Colombia and Europe, including UNESCO sites. He is a member of the Comparative Archaeology Group recognized by Colciencias and has published articles, book chapters, and presentations at international conferences.

His research topics include funerary archaeology, rock art, archaeogeography, and architecture.

Diego José is an anthropologist graduated from the National University of Colombia, with over 8 years of experience in academic research on the pre-Hispanic cultural history in the lowlands of Colombia, the Orinoco, and the Amazon. He has worked for government and private entities in the study, characterization, management, and conservation of archaeological areas in Colombia and Europe, including UNESCO sites. He is a member of the Comparative Archaeology Group recognized by Colciencias and has published articles, book chapters, and presentations at international conferences.

His research topics include funerary archaeology, rock art, archaeogeography, and architecture.

Diego José is an anthropologist graduated from the National University of Colombia, with over 8 years of experience in academic research on the pre-Hispanic cultural history in the lowlands of Colombia, the Orinoco, and the Amazon. He has worked for government and private entities in the study, characterization, management, and conservation of archaeological areas in Colombia and Europe, including UNESCO sites. He is a member of the Comparative Archaeology Group recognized by Colciencias and has published articles, book chapters, and presentations at international conferences.

His research topics include funerary archaeology, rock art, archaeogeography, and architecture.

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Agricultural engineer, botanist, ichthyologist with a lifetime of experience in Mitú-Amazonia.

Agricultural engineer, botanist, ichthyologist with a lifetime of experience in Mitú-Amazonia.

Agricultural engineer, botanist, ichthyologist with a lifetime of experience in Mitú-Amazonia.

Felipe Arbeláez

Felipe Arbeláez

Felipe Arbeláez

Esteban Gaviria

Esteban Gaviria

Esteban Gaviria

© 2024 Jardin Botanico La Macarena.


© 2024 Jardin Botanico La Macarena.
All rights reserved.