PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 16: Ecology Education
Tuesday, August 9, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal
Communicating first-hand scientific knowledge of ecology: an experience in the southern chilean archipelagoes.
Troncoso, Andrea*,1, Armesto, Juan1, 2, Rozzi, Ricardo1, 3, Carmona, Martín1, 1 Fundación Senda Darwin, Ancud, Chiloé, Chile2 CASEB, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile3 Fundación Omora, Puerto Williams, Magallanes, Chile
ABSTRACT- Austral archipelagoes of South America harbor a rich biocultural mosaic of people and ecosystems. Regional landscapes range from densely populated urban and rural areas to forests, which are among the remotest and most pristine in the planet. Most conservation efforts are placed on frontier and inaccessible forests, while rural landscapes are being greatly degraded and transformed by human action. As a way to stimulate conservation of biocultural diversity both within and outside parks and natural reserves, Senda Darwin biological station, through its Beagle Center, and the ethnobotanic park Omora, are conducting ecological inquiry and education programs with local people. The Beagle Center, at the heart of the rural landscape of Chiloe Island, is intended as a physical, intellectual and human space, to discuss first-hand experiences of ecological inquiry. Work with rural schools, Huilliche indigenous communities and landowners allows for a stronger relationship between scientists and local realities. Omora Park, located on the shore of the Beagle Channel, is designed as an outdoor classroom to explore and reflect on the ways of knowing of ecologists and Yhagan culture. Through these examples, we show that the direct interaction among the academic, rural and indigenous worlds are possible, necessary and enriching experiences for the conservation of the biocultural mosaic of these southern archipelagoes.
Key words: biocultural conservation, biodiversity, South America, ecological inquiry