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Women Protecting Forest Resources Recognized as Guardians of the Native Forest

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As part of the activities held in commemoration of Women's Month, a ceremony took place where a total of eleven women, all native to the Maule region and beneficiaries of the National Strategy on Climate Change and Vegetation Resources (ENCCRV) and the +Forests Project, were honored as "Guardians of the Native Forest" in recognition of their commitment to the restoration and protection of ecosystems.

Regarding this recognition, Eve Crowley, FAO Representative in Chile, stated, "Increasingly and with greater strength, rural families and communities are driving sustainable livelihoods, strengthening the local economy, creating development opportunities, and contributing to biodiversity conservation and the reduction of climate change effects through sustainable forest management. As an organization, we remain committed to promoting sustainable practices and livelihoods that enhance food security, reduce rural poverty, and increase community resilience to environmental challenges."

The ceremony was attended by prominent national and regional authorities, including the Maule Regional Presidential Delegate, Humberto Aqueveque; FAO Deputy Regional Representative, Eve Crowley; Provincial Presidential Delegate, Aly Valderrama; Regional Minister of Agriculture, Claudia Ramos; and CONAF Regional Director, María Isabel Florido, among others.

The CONAF Maule Director highlighted the work being carried out in the region: "Since ancestral times, women have been protectors of ecosystems through seed gathering and passing on the knowledge the forest provides to new generations, achieving outstanding performance in the supervision, protection, and sustainable management of forest resources. In this sense, this recognition demonstrates that women's leadership and wisdom are essential to addressing the climate crisis through ecosystem restoration and afforestation, as well as the development of sustainable livelihood initiatives. In the Maule region, work is being done on producing essential oils and gathering medicinal herbs," she emphasized.

Susana Romero, one of the Guardians of the Forest and a member of the Yerba Luna Cooperative, shared her experience with the forest: "For us, the work we do with my fellow Cooperative members—gathering herbs—is a deep connection with nature, as we respect the earth's cycle and protect each species by responsibly using the resources Mother Nature provides."

Finally, in his speech, the Regional Presidential Delegate, Humberto Aqueveque, expressed, "We wanted to be present at the closing of Women's Month, where, alongside the FAO representative and the CONAF director, we met with various women recognized as guardians of the native forest. This recognition is very important because, on one hand, it highlights the role of women in society and in caring for our biodiversity, and also thanks them for their contribution to reforestation and restoration of the native forest, as well as the care of our environment and ecosystem. Undoubtedly, it is great news that we are recognizing these 11 women from various communes in the Maule region."

To date, the ENCCRV and the +Forests Project, a key public policy instrument in the fight against climate change, have directly and permanently benefited 3,142 people. Of this total, 50% are women, and 28% are indigenous women. In the Maule region, 227 people have participated in forestry initiatives to date, of whom 108 are women.