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Ufro Promotes Reforestation to Halt the Decline of Araucaria Heritage

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• Nearly 700 specimens were planted and distributed in the Protected National Asset "Las Araucarias" and the neighboring village. Additionally, a seminar on the ancient tree is planned for October 17.

"Until the 1950s, Villa Las Araucarias (and its surroundings) was described as having approximately 1,000 hectares of Araucaria forests. Today, only 40 hectares remain with any presence of this tree." With this data, academic and director of the Department of Agronomic Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of La Frontera, Rubén Carrillo, highlights how the presence of this millennial species has diminished in both the coastal mountain range and other mountainous areas.

The reason behind the decline of Araucaria forests is the subject of ongoing study. However, the University of La Frontera has also sought to lead various initiatives to engage the community, raising awareness about the species' value and inspiring consciousness among new generations.

For this reason, the Department of Agronomic Sciences and Natural Resources of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, along with the student group (Ufro) "En Terreno," carried out a reforestation and recovery effort in the Protected National Asset "Las Araucarias." This 11.41-hectare site, located in the Coastal Mountain Range of Carahue, is managed by Ufro through the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.

The initiative was open to students from across the university and the general public. It involved the reforestation of 700 three-year-old Araucarias, whose seeds came from a mother plant located within the same Protected National Asset. As explained by academic Rubén Carrillo, who led the reforestation, around 400 new specimens were planted, and another 300 were dispersed in nearby areas to restore their presence, strengthening outreach and community engagement efforts.

PROTECTED NATIONAL ASSET
According to Carrillo, to advance the protection of this emblematic millennial species for Chile and especially for this region, this initiative was launched alongside a group of university students. Participants included not only academics and professionals in the field but also representatives from the Temuco Antumalal Lions Club, elementary school students from Colegio San Juan in the Santa Rosa sector, and members of the Villa Las Araucarias community.

Carrillo noted that a permanent restoration program has been designed for the medium and long term, including an exclusion zone within the Protected National Asset "Las Araucarias" and recovery efforts in surrounding areas, including Villa Las Araucarias.

Source: subscription edition ofEl Austral de Temuco