Translated to English by WHSRN Executive Office
Listening to the frantic vocalizations of a flock of more than 2,000 Red Knot (Calidris canutus) after feeding in the intertidal of Los Alamos; an emotional letter sent to me years ago by Luciano Lemos and Nicolas Borrego, 6th grade students of the Tomas Espora School in Las Grutas; or that ineffable dinner shared in the Rio Negro beach resort with Alan Baker and Guy Morrison, where they served a unique “Reddish Sandpiper of beet”.
Thirteen years after my first visit to Bahía de San Antonio in 2010, I returned to Las Grutas accepting an invitation from our partners at the Fundación Inalafquen to participate in the Thirteenth Annual Shorebird Festival, a very special opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Protected Area and the designation as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site. On this occasion, I was joined by my colleague Marcela Castellino, Manomet’s Flyway Specialist.
I was challenged to give a presentation looking back on the 30 years, but also forward to the future. Several topics came to mind — the integration of nature and development to determine the extent of sustainability of territories and communities, the need to protect coastal areas as buffers against the effects of climate change, and the decline of half of the world’s bird populations.
Right: A reddish beet Red Knot served as dinner in Las Grutas. Photo: Diego Luna Quevedo. Left: “Fabién Rojizo” dances on the beach to the rhythm of the Pride Campaign. Photo: Fundación Inalafquen.
Looking back, I started from the milestone of 1993 when the newly created Bahía de San Antonio Natural Protected Area (ANPBSA in Spanish) became a WHSRN Site of International Importance, the third in Argentina. During 1994, the ANPBSA was already an example of governance and participation of local stakeholders in the management process, making possible, among other things, the enactment of Law No. 3,308, which prohibited all oil activities in the San Matias Gulf until 2022. In 1997, the first international shorebird banding campaign was carried out, led by Patricia González and Dr. Allan Baker of the Royal Ontario Museum. The south-north science was beginning to connect.
In 2000, Patricia González received the Pablo Canevari Award from Manomet in recognition of her work in shorebird conservation at Fundación Inalafquen. In 2005, the Local Conservation Authority was established as a governance mechanism for the Protected Area. This is the only Protected Area in the Province of Río Negro that maintains Local Conservation Authority still today. During 2007, various partnerships promoted by Fundación Inalafquen with other WHSRN sites in Argentina led to the creation of the Argentine Council for WHSRN, with Mirta Carbajal, of Fundación Inalafquen, president between 2014 and 2018.
In 2007, the Vuelo Latitud 40 Interpretive Center opened its doors, the first of its kind in the country, a model that served as a reference for the creation of other similar centers in Argentina and Chile, such as the Bahía Lomas Center. In 2009, Liz Assef led the implementation of the Pride Campaign with RARE and Manomet, to remove barriers, change behaviors and reduce threats in Red Knot habitats.
WHSRN Site 30 years” certificate received by Fabián Llanos, Head of the Wildlife Directorate of the Province of Río Negro. Photo: Courtesy of Fundación Inalafquen.
In 2010, the first Shorebird Festival was held, another first for Argentina, which has served as a source of inspiration for many festivals in the Americas.
In 2011, Inalafquen Foundation and other local partners achieved the approval of Law No. 4,644 which “declares of interest the conservation of shorebirds and the environments on which they depend” incorporating the requirement to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments of projects in critical sites. In 2014, Mirta Carbajal, also received the Pablo Canevari Award and now there are two women, both Argentine and from Fundación Inalafquen, who have been recognized internationally.
In 2015, Fundación Inalafquen launched its campaign #todososomosplayavesplayeras (popularly known as “the wings of shorebirds”) reaching 155 institutions in 19 countries. Even the distinguished Jane Goodall has donned the wings.
In 2016, Fundación Inalafquen and Manomet organized in Las Grutas, the workshop “Argentina on the Atlantic Shorebird Flyway” which would be the genesis of the National Plan for Shorebird Conservation.
Jane Goodall put on shorebird wings. Photo: Courtesy of Fundación Inalafquen.
There is much more in the chronology of the 30 years, these are just a few of the most notable that come to mind.
Despite all the progress, the management of the ANPBSA continues to face challenges such as pressure from tourism and urbanization beyond planning and regulatory boundaries. It is necessary to return to the path of participation, agreements, and good governance. There is also deep local concern about announcements of possible oil exploitation in the San Matías Gulf.
Time has passed since that letter from Luciano and Nicolás. Both are now 22 years old. As we look forward, the local community is challenged to take up a 30-year conservation legacy, built on commitment, perseverance, conviction, collaboration and above all, the notion of the common good.
Letter from Luciano and Nicolás. Photo: Gabriela Mansilla.
Through this article, on behalf of Manomet and the WHSRN Executive Office, we thank each of the people who have made it possible to keep this conservation aspiration alive for shorebirds and for future generations.
Mirta Carbajal, Patricia Gonzalez, Doril Delgado, Patricia Llonch, Rocío Landívar, Gabriela Mansilla, Liz Assef, Silvana and Zonia Sawicki, Anabel Chabez, Diego Reyes, Roxana Rocatagliatta, Guadalupe Sarti, Fabián Pinasco, Alicia Nicolas, Edgardo Di Giacomo, Raquel Perier, Maria Eugenia Picerno, and Belen Aciar.
To all of you, Thank you!
Cover Photo: Red Knots feeding on the beach at Los Alamos. Photo: Diego Luna Quevedo.
