[1] It takes its name from the Dutch-Colombian geologist Thomas van der Hammen who devoted his life to the research of the region.

The surface area of the protected reserve is approximately 1,395 hectares (3,450 acres) and it is located in the north of Bogotá.

The protection area has the purpose of creating an urban forest that connects the Bogotá River and the Eastern Hills of Bogotá, to preserve the underground water sources, improve the quality of the air and protect the diversity and activities of the animal species that exist there.

[2][3] Mayor of Bogotá Enrique Peñalosa has proposed construction in the Reserve that could host 1.5 million people.

[8] Registered mammals are among others guinea pigs, Andean white-eared opossum (Didelphis pernigra),[5] tigrillo (Leopardus tigrinus),[9] long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata),[10] and eleven species of bats.