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Conaf Drives Native Forest Recovery in O'Higgins

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The National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) took the initiative in the battle against damages caused by wildfires, implementing an ambitious restoration project in the commune of La Estrella.

Conaf's executive director, Rodrigo Illesca, along with the regional director of O’Higgins, Óscar Galdames, visited the affected area to oversee the progress of reforesting seven hectares devastated by fire. This project is carried out under the wing of the Siembra por Chile program and represents a significant step toward the recovery of the local ecosystem.

Illesca expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the importance of restoring native forests and the possibility of replicating these actions in other regions of the country. "We are achieving and developing actions to restore our native forests. These actions are highly relevant," stated Illesca. He also emphasized the reintegration of native species into the environment, which is crucial for the ecological process and nature conservation.

The regional director of Conaf, Galdames, detailed that the restoration included core plantings, a technique that enhances water absorption and filtration for the plants. A total of 21,000 specimens of quillay, espino, litre, huingán, and maitén were planted—all native species selected for their adaptability and growth capacity in the area.

The plants used in this effort come from Conaf's Chomedahue nursery, located in the commune of Santa Cruz. This nursery not only supplies vegetation for La Estrella but will also distribute 300,000 plants, primarily native species, to other regions such as Ñuble, Biobío, Maule, and Valparaíso.

The Siembra por Chile Program plans to carry out native forest enrichment and forest restoration work this year, totaling 27,980 plants across 98 hectares. Additionally, the Chomedahue nursery will provide 106,000 plants for Subsidized Afforestation and 25,000 for the Urban Tree-Planting Program, adding up to 158,980 plants in the O’Higgins Region alone.

This project not only represents an effort to restore damaged areas but also stands as a testament to Chile's commitment to preserving its natural heritage and combating climate change.