Chiloé Island

Main Achievements

Local communities are increasingly engaged in conservation processes, as a result of “campaigns” to change behavior, raise awareness, and involve them in citizen science activities. Prior to the start of the plan, very few people were aware of the value of Chiloé’s wetlands. Now a significant part of the community values the wetlands.
A Natural Heritage Route “Wetlands, Birds and Culture” developed and implemented with the Ministry of National Goods and local municipalities.
Public access infrastructure installed, enabling local communities and tourists to better appreciate the wildlife of the wetlands. The infrastructure includes observation platforms, birdwatching blinds, boardwalks, educational signs, and information displays in community and visitor centers.

Annual bird festivals have become an important attraction for both local and international tourists, providing new business opportunities, and a focus for celebrating shorebirds with the local communities, helping to engender local pride that they are home to these migratory birds.
Local entrepreneurs have started business ventures linked to the conservation of shorebirds, helping build closer connections between conservation and the tourism industry and service providers. The success of these ventures have helped local business owners answer the question, “What can I gain from conservation?”
Best practices have been developed and implemented for the use and management of wetlands by local entrepreneurs, tour operators, private landowners, and mussel farm businesses located in the vicinity of key areas for shorebirds.

Agreements with the Ministry of Environment (Department of Natural Resources and Biodiversity) to integrate the Chiloé Shorebird Plan with the National Plan to Protect Wetlands 2018-22, including collaborations to declare National Nature Sanctuaries on the island.
Greater access to information to support decision-making by local communities, local leaders and civil society organizations.
Three Nature Sanctuaries officially declared protecting 350 ha of wintering sites for Hudsonian godwit
Protection and local governance improved in key areas for shorebirds, through a combination of municipal ordinances and reserves, “scarce importance” permits (a simplified form of annual concession), maritime concessions, and Indigenous Peoples’ Coastal Marine Areas (Espacios Costeros Marinos Pueblos Originarios).
New agreements developed with private landowners and aquaculture businesses regarding the protection of key habitats for shorebirds.

Regular monitoring of shorebird populations in more than 30 wetlands in Chiloé, since 2010.
Participatory Ecosystem Service Assessments at three critical shorebird sites

Chiloé Photos: Diego Luna Quevedo, Brad Winn, Monica Iglecia, and Maina Handmaker