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Dear friends and colleagues,

The news of March are very good for our region. A new zoning scheme was announced in the Galapagos; there was an agreement to raise awareness about the value of protected areas in Mexico; the Colombian society mobilized around renewable energy; Southern Cone Alliance was strengthened by the inclusion of Brazil; and Narda Lepes, a famous chef, invited Argentinians to eat sustainable fish during Holy Week. Of course, we had an amazing Earth Hour with great performances in each country and at a regional level. Enjoy the reading,

Roberto Troya

Vice-president, WWF-LAC

Latin America Shone a Light on Climate Action and Its Natural Icons

On March 19, plazas, stadiums, and iconic landmarks turned off their lights all over the region. As part of the Latin American campaign, we held a competition in which the emblematic species and the natural wonders from each country participated. The victory was for the Andean Bear, which represented Peru with the Jaguar.

Communication and Knowledge of the Protected Areas Value

Eco Consult and WWF signed an agreement to work with the National Comission of Natural Protected Areas and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on the communication of the project “Ecovalue Mexico: assessment of ecosystem services in natural protected áreas.” The purpose of the project, based on an agreement between Mexico and Germany, is to increase the knowledge and communicate the value of ecosystem services generated by Natural Protected Areas as a source of well-being and improve decision making processes at local and national levels among a wide range of stakeholders in order to favor the investments, management and conservation of biodiversity and provision of ecosystem services. It includes the Monarch Butterfly Reserve, Cabo Pulmo, Izta Popo, Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Cozumel, Pantanos de Centla y Laguna de Términos from 2015 to 2018.

WWF-Colombia Launches Petition for Renewable Energy 

In late March, WWF-Colombia launched an online petition, asking the government to set ambitious objectives for renewable energy (solar, eolic and geothermic). Although the campaign is not finished yet, more than 6 000 people have already signed it, WWF experts have debated with government officials, we have gained the support of dozens of celebrities and articles have been published in Colombia’s main media. In mid-April, the petition will be sent to the President’s Office. For our office, this is just the beginning of the mobilization for renewable energies. 

Ecuador Approves the New Zoning Scheme in Galapagos and Creates a Marine Sanctuary to Protect Sharks

The Ecuadorian government approved the new zoning for the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve. The new zoning system, supported technically and financially by WWF in Ecuador, represents a major conservation achievement since it increases the conservation areas significantly. Under the new scheme, 59% of the terrestrial National Park becomes a no-take zone, while in the case of the Marine Reserve the new no-take zone increases from less than 1% to 33%. The government also created the first marine sanctuary in Ecuador, which was promoted by National Geographic’s Pristine Seas Team and WWF’s partner Charles Darwin Foundation.

Brazil Joins Network of Sustainable Fishery Southern Cone Alliance

The incorporation of Brazil to WWF’s network Southern Cone Alliance (SCA) represents great news for the sustainability of fisheries. With this integration, the scope of this initiative will cover nearly 20% of the total production of the fisheries globally.
 
This milestone starts a new stage in which the offices of WWF in Chile, Peru and Brazil, as well as Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, will share targets for fishing in the area to move towards sustainable practices. That way, SCA will work to influence producers, buyers, governments and financial institutions to improve governance, and moving towards more responsible markets and financial flows.

Celebrity Chefs for Alternative Fish in Holy Week

Vida Silvestre approached celebrity chefs to invite them to make recipes based on fish and seafood alternative to toothfish, a popular but endangered species.

Holy Week is regarded in Argentina as a time where traditionally people eat fish and other seafood-based dishes. In spite of having one of the largest seas in the world, the population of Argentina is not accustomed to eat fish, with the notable exception of the toothfish. Thus, this species is largely overfished, and the resource has been endangered since then.

Notable celebrity chefs shared recipes based on alternative species on their social media profiles, along with a message on sustainable fishery.

Narda Lepes, a celebrity chef who is ambassador for Vida Silvestre, prepared recipes based on shrimp, squid, and seabream. Other blogger chefs, as Inutilisimas and Estefanía Colombo, also shared their creations. Overall, these recipes had a potential reach of more than 743.000 potential followers.