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International Delegation of the 20x20 Summit Concludes Tour in Chiloé, Highlighting INFOR's Work in Ecological Restoration

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The technical tour of the international delegation of the 20x20 Summit concluded in Chiloé with a visit to ecological restoration initiatives led by the Forestry Institute (INFOR). The day, held at the Puacura Experimental Forest and the Forest Plant Technology Center (CTPF) in Castro, allowed representatives from over seven countries—including the United States, Guatemala, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, and Chile—to witness firsthand the impact of these initiatives on conservation and environmental education.

During the tour, the delegation observed INFOR's work in conserving 90 hectares of peri-urban native forest, as well as the production of native species for ecological restoration at the CTPF. This center conducts studies on seed management, nursery cultivation, and propagation of species such as coigüe, ulmo, canelo, and shrubs like chilco and calafate.

"These visits showcase the collaborative work we carry out with local communities and municipalities. They also provide a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge with professionals from other countries and enrich our restoration strategies with their experiences," emphasized Gerardo Vergara, manager of INFOR's Los Ríos–Los Lagos branch.

The event also included the participation of Castro's mayor, Baltasar Elgueta, who highlighted the impact of the collaboration agreement between the municipality and INFOR: "It’s moving to see how the forest has grown thanks to INFOR's work. This visit raises awareness about the importance of caring for the environment and valuing the efforts of so many people in Latin America committed to this cause. We are grateful and committed to continuing our collaboration."

INFOR researcher in Chiloé, Jan Bannister, described the event as a transformative experience: "We welcomed highly interested individuals in our local work. We shared our collaborative efforts with the municipality and community while also learning from their experiences. It was a day of mutual learning."

The tour also included a visit to the Butalcura Nursery in Dalcahue, where CONAF presented its ecological restoration efforts, and to Chiloé National Park, where the delegation learned about initiatives developed alongside local communities.

René Zamora, director of the 20x20 Initiative, praised the experience as an example of effective collaboration: "The joint work between the municipality and INFOR in restoring forests in Chiloé demonstrates the importance of collaborative planning. It’s a relevant model to ensure the success of environmental initiatives and their real impact on the community."

The 20x20 Initiative is a regional alliance of 18 Latin American countries aiming to restore 50 million degraded hectares by 2030. Chile, a founding member, hosted the 2025 Summit in Puerto Varas, bringing together international leaders in ecological restoration as part of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.