News

Infor contributes to the design of the new Living Laboratory in Villarrica National Park

Sponsors

In the midst of one of the most emblematic landscapes of southern Chile, the Living Laboratory of Forests, Water, and Climate Change was inaugurated. This innovative educational space, located in Villarrica National Park, aims to bring science closer to the public through an interpretive trail filled with sensory and reflective experiences.

The initiative was carried out by the UC Local Development Center (Cedel) together with Conaf Araucanía, the Catholic University of Temuco (UCT), the Forestry Institute (Infor), and the Regional Museum of La Araucanía, within the framework of the Ciencia Pública 2025 program of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation.

Antonela Rossi, a member of the Living Laboratory's mediation team, highlighted that the project invites discovering the ecosystem from multiple perspectives.

"This free trail offers thematic stations that allow visitors to experience different aspects related to the forest, water, and climate change. It is a project developed in collaboration with various institutions, including Infor," she stated.

The route is structured around three symbolic perspectives—human view, ant view, and condor view—that enable understanding biodiversity, forests, and the effects of climate change from different scales. Along the trail, the public can interact with sculptures of native species, interpretive signage, ecosystem models, and sensory stations, creating an educational experience accessible to all ages.

Representing the Forestry Institute, researcher Gabriela Oróstica participated in designing the mediation script, integrating scientific content with artistic and territorial elements.

"This living laboratory is a bridge between science and the community, designed to inspire, educate, and raise awareness about the importance of the ecosystems in southern Chile," expressed Oróstica.

The Living Laboratory is envisioned as an open space for students, educators, families, and visitors, promoting a playful methodology that encourages appreciation of the natural environment and commitment to its care.