First seminar for the preservation of native fauna and biodiversity held in Antofagasta

The first seminar “Encounter for the Preservation of Fauna 2023” was held with the aim of disseminating research on marine biodiversity, microbiota and advances in this area. This activity is part of Geniale Group’s Be Green 2023 program, with the support of SQM.

The event attracted students from Antofagasta and Mejillones, as well as business and civil community representatives. Over the course of two days they were able to learn more about native wildlife and regional biodiversity, along with its related challenges and achievements.

In this regard, Be Green’s director and CEO of Geniale Group, Alejandra Díaz Ponce, said: “This year, we have added a new space to the environmental education program carried out since 2020 with the support of SQM, calling researchers and professionals who have been working in conservation all their lives, because we believe that this should be a more relevant issue, to bring science closer to the community and especially to school children, the small forgers of the future who will become tomorrow’s adults.”

Meanwhile, SQM’s Head of Community Relations, Manuel Ossandon, said that “we are part of this territory, so we are concerned about the things that happen here; one of those concerns is the preservation of the environment. That is why we have been involved from the beginning in Geniale Group’s education program focused on the conservation of the region’s native species, sharing this information with students and the community”.

PRESENTATIONS

The seminar was held over two days, with the participation of different experts and authorities presenting studies on wildlife, including a talk by Dr. Gladys Hayashida, Coordinator of Science, Technology and Society (C-TyS) at Universidad de Antofagasta, who presented on “Life in the Desert”.

Fernanda Orellana, regional director of the Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG), was also there to present the case of the coast-dwelling long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanígera), and how this species—once believed to be extinct—has managed to recover.

Another presentation that drew much interest from attendees was delivered by Dr. Carlos Guerra, director of the Regional Center for Environmental Studies and Education (CREA) of the Universidad de Antofagasta. He provided a detailed analysis of the marine and coastal biodiversity of the Antofagasta Region, focusing on air-breathing vertebrates.

This seminar included stands from various institutions such as Gaviotín Chico, Conaf, Escuela Ecológica, among others, who presented the work they do to conserve the species and care for the environment.

The activity also included discussions on the importance given in the region to the preservation of native fauna and biodiversity. Regional authorities, professionals, researchers and academics, as well as the guests themselves, were able to voice their opinions, pointing out significant challenges. Both discussions were moderated by Dr. Bárbara Fuentes, environmental engineer and PhD in Natural Resources Sciences from Universidad Católica del Norte; and Claudio Díaz, ecologist and consultant in applied environmental engineering.

BE-GREEN 2023 PROGRAM

This initiative was part of the Be Green 2023 program, which will continue with various workshops aimed at students.

It will also provide workshops on observation, wildlife photography, and landscape and animal sculpting. The resulting works will be exhibited at the Antofagasta Municipal Theater, so that the entire community may visit and enjoy them.

Finally, this year the program includes various wildlife observation trips to Morro Moreno National Park, La Portada National Monument and Los Flamencos National Reserve, allowing students to explore the area and enjoy its nature and animals.