grupo de niños dando espalda a la camara con stickers de ranita de darwin en la mochila

Education on native amphibians and their habitats

As an organisation, we firmly believe that education is essential for the conservation of biodiversity, especially for Chile’s native amphibians, such as Darwin's frog. Our main goal is to promote knowledge, awareness, and love for nature through educational and interactive activities, allowing people to connect with these fascinating animals and understand the importance of protecting them.

Public outreach activities

Our organisation has participated in amphibian education activities in various locations, such as Safari Park in Rancagua, where watercolour painting workshops and talks on amphibian conservation were held, and the National Zoo, where work on Chilean frogs and toads was shared. Additionally, we presented dioramas and interactive activities at events such as the Chilean Fauna Day organised by the Jane Goodall Institute and the Ladera Sur Fest, highlighting the importance of native amphibians.

Zoológico Nacional

Parque Safari

Zoológico Nacional

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Amphibian Conservation Education Program of the Los Ríos Region

In the Los Ríos Region (Southern Chile), the organisation, in collaboration with the National Zoo, implemented an educational programme dedicated to amphibian conservation. This programme was developed in partnership with local schools, where children actively participated in workshops and school projects. Using innovative methodologies such as Project-Based Learning (PBL), the students explored and highlighted the value of local species, thus fostering greater knowledge and commitment to the protection of amphibians and their habitats.

Programa de educación para la conservación de anfibios - Zoo Nacional / ONG Ranita de Darwin

Reunión administrativa

Escuela Los Pellines

Programa de educación para la conservación de anfibios - Zoo Nacional / ONG Ranita de Darwin

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Escuela Los Pellines

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Collaboration Agreement with CONAF Los Lagos

We signed a collaboration agreement between the National Forest Corporation (CONAF) Los Lagos and the Ranita de Darwin NGO. Through this agreement, we will support CONAF on amphibian-related issues within the state's protected areas in the Los Lagos Region, with a special focus on field monitoring and biosecurity.

This agreement includes training for the CONAF team on the best methods for searching and handling amphibians, as well as conducting sampling in the presence of the chytrid fungus.

As part of this collaboration, we have officially become mentors for Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, which is currently applying for the Green List certification from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This park is of great importance, not only due to its size and being the oldest in Chile, but also because it receives the highest number of visitors annually and houses multiple populations of Darwin’s frogs.

This collaboration marks a significant step forward for amphibian protection, especially considering that only two areas in Chile are currently in the process of applying for this certification.

Ranita de Darwin del sur

www.RanitadeDarwin.org

Ranita de Darwin del sur

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Bastián Santana y Melanie Kaiser de Congarra

Firma acuerdo mentoria

www.ranitadedarwin.org

Bastián Santana y Melanie Kaiser de Congarra

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Amphibian Ecology, Conservation, and Monitoring Workshop

The Amphibian Ecology, Conservation, and Monitoring Workshop was a successful initiative thanks to the valuable collaboration of the team and park rangers from Alerce Costero National Park and the Valdivian Coastal Reserve of TNC (The Nature Conservancy). Together, we worked on the protection of Chilean amphibians, sharing essential knowledge and tools for their conservation. This workshop reinforced our commitment to preserving these species and their habitats, highlighting the importance of teamwork and environmental education to make a positive impact on the biodiversity of our country.

Taller de Ecología, Conservación y Monitoreo de Anfibios

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Participation in the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP)

Andrés Valenzuela Sánchez, President of our organisation, participated in the creation of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP), an official publication of the IUCN, leading the Communications and Education chapter. This work included a review of the human components in amphibian conservation, with a special focus on educational and communication strategies, which are essential for strengthening the protection of these highly endangered species.

Portada Amphibian conservation action plan

Descarga ACAP aquí

Collaboration with Fundación Forecos for the Conservation of Endemic Amphibians

In Mariquina, Los Ríos Region, we had the privilege of participating in the Ñakiñhue Environmental Education Programme, focused on protecting the Mehuín leaf litter frog (Eupsophus migueli) and other endemic amphibians.

This project was led by Fundación Forecos as part of the Zero Extinction (AZE) - GEF Alliance, and our NGO collaborated in the creation of educational manuals used throughout the programme. We also participated in the closing event of this beautiful process.

We would like to thank Daniel Muñoz and Julieta Riquelme, as well as everyone who contributed to this initiative. This effort is another step forward in protecting the biodiversity of our forests.

Programa educación Forecos

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Meeting with the Inio community (Chiloé), in the rescue of Darwin's frogs

In the southern sector of Tantauco Park, we shared with the community the progress of the 'Tantauco Rescue' Project, where we rescued 53 Darwin's frogs to start a captive breeding program, crucial for their survival and to prevent local extinction. During a talk, we addressed concerns about the transfer of the frogs to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and explained how this program will help combat chytridiomycosis and repopulate the park in the future.

Encuentro con comunidad de Inio

Bastián Santana en charla

Parque Tantauco - ONG Ranita de Darwin

Encuentro con comunidad de Inio

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Art and Culture for frog conservation

Our NGO promotes emotional connection with amphibians through art. An example of this is the Darwin’s frog mosaic on the facade of the Armando Robles Rivera High School in Valdivia, a work that celebrates this endangered species and educates the public about its protection.

Inauguración Mosaico ranita de Darwin en Valdivia

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Drawing the Darwin's frog and sculptures made with moldable materials.

Through our social media, we have encouraged community participation in artistic activities that promote knowledge and appreciation of the Darwin's frog. These initiatives not only reward talent but also use the artworks in awareness campaigns, encouraging the sensibilization of amphibian conservation.