Dexter Dombro: Guardian of the Vichada’s Wild Heart

In the remote landscapes of the Orinoquía region in Colombia, where rivers carve through endless savannahs and ancient morichales rise like sentinels of biodiversity, one man dedicated his life to preservation and transformation. Dexter Dombro (1961–2020), a Canadian visionary, conservationist, and environmental pioneer, left an indelible mark on the ecosystems of Vichada. His untimely passing on August 11, 2020, in Puerto Carreño was a profound loss to those who knew his tireless devotion to the natural world.

From Urban Planner to Wildland Dreamer

Born in Canada, Dombro’s early life was a world away from the verdant wilderness he would later champion. A skilled urban planner by trade, his life took a dramatic turn in 2007 when he first set foot in the Vichada region. What he saw there—a land brimming with untamed beauty and ecological richness—sparked a profound connection.

Moved by the sight of the Orinoco River’s winding expanse and the vastness of the morichales, Dombro decided to purchase a tract of land known as La Pedregoza. This property became his laboratory for a bold experiment: restoring degraded land by planting native trees and creating a sustainable forestry model that would serve both the environment and local communities.

Building La Pedregoza

By 2014, La Pedregoza had become a flagship initiative under the umbrella of the Colombian National System of Protected Areas, officially designated as a Natural Reserve of the Civil Society (RNSC). Dombro’s dream extended beyond preservation—he sought to heal the land. His team planted countless moriche palms, restored soils depleted by cattle grazing, and implemented organic farming techniques to regenerate the ecosystem.

In the heart of this ambitious project was the Corporación Ambiental La Pedregoza, an NGO he founded to promote environmental research, conservation education, and sustainable practices. The organization became a hub for studies on iconic species like the pink river dolphin, charapa turtles, and caimans that inhabited the area’s delicate waterways.

“Only 10% for People”

Dombro famously declared that only 10% of La Pedregoza would be open to public use. This philosophy reflected his deep respect for nature and its fragile balance. His vision was not one of exploitation but of coexistence, where human activity harmonized with ecological health. “We want a place for conservation where animals don’t suffer human interference,” he often said.

Tourists who visited La Pedregoza were greeted with ecological tours, guided walks through pristine morichales, and lessons in sustainable living. The reserve became a beacon for environmentalists and nature enthusiasts, showcasing what determination and respect for the land could achieve.

The Wider Vision

Dombro’s influence extended far beyond La Pedregoza. He collaborated with Colombia’s National Parks and organizations like WWF to establish frameworks for other landowners to protect their properties as reserves. One of his proudest achievements was his role in creating the Alianza por el Río Protegido Bita, a coalition that worked tirelessly to conserve the Bita River, a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot.

A Legacy That Endures

Dexter Dombro’s passing at the age of 59 was a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life juxtaposed against the timelessness of nature. While his life ended, his work continues to inspire. Today, La Pedregoza stands as a living monument to his ideals, and his conservation models are being replicated across the Orinoquía and beyond.

Dombro’s legacy is not just in the hectares he protected or the species he saved—it’s in the ethos he embodied. His life was a call to action for humanity to be stewards, not just consumers, of the planet.

In memoriam
Dexter Dombro
1961–2020