Ecosistemas: Protecting Patagonia

Ecosistemas biologist Flavia Liberona (left)
and journalist Mitzi Urtubia.

The pristine beauty of Chile`s Patagonia region is threatened by pollution from the salmon farm industry and plans to dam wild rivers for hydroelectric projects.

E-LAW partners at Ecosistemas are working with E-LAW U.S. to defend ecosystems in southern Chile from these and other threats.

Ecosistemas is a new non-profit organization that grew out of the success of Alianza Aysen Reserva de Vida, an alliance of local organizations that helped protect the Puerto Montt region from a Canadian company’s plans to dam three wild rivers for an aluminum smelter project.

While in Santiago in October, E-LAW U.S. Environmental Research Scientist Meche Lu and Communications Director Maggie Keenan met with Ecosistemas staff to collaborate on efforts to protect ecosystems in Patagonia.

Ecosistemas biologist Flavia Liberona and journalist Mitzi Urtubia were impressed by the results of community education workshops Meche helped conduct in Puerto Montt and Coyhaique in 2005.

"This was the first time communities had access to scientific information about the environmental impacts of salmon farming," said Mitzi. "This information has spread throughout the communities by radio and through local schools."

Southern Chile`s unique river and forest ecosystems now face what may be their gravest threat. A Spanish company, Endesa, has announced plans to build at least five hydroelectric power plants in southern Chile over the next 15 years.

Meche is providing scientific support to partners at Ecosistemas and Fiscalia del Medio Ambiente (FIMA) as they work to protect Chile`s wild rivers. E-LAW U.S. thanks the Weeden Foundation for supporting this high impact work.

Andrea Reyes, FIMA

2006 E-LAW Annual Meeting

Plans are underway for the 2006 E-LAW Annual Meeting, to be held in Valparaiso, a UN World Heritage Site on Chile`s coast. E-LAW partners at FIMA will host the 2006 meeting in late summer. More than 50 E-LAW partners from 30 countries are expected to participate. FIMA`s Andrea Reyes is working with E-LAW U.S. Communications Director Maggie Keenan to raise support for this gathering of the world’s leading grassroots advocates.