The Issue:

Cerro Castillo National Park, located in Chilean Patagonia, faces severe conservation challenges due to insufficient government funding and infrastructure, leaving wildlife monitoring, threat control, and visitor management lacking. Habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and increased vehicle collisions threaten local biodiversity—particularly the endangered Huemul deer. Simultaneously, rural depopulation and a disconnect between local communities and protected areas hinder collaborative conservation efforts. These pressures jeopardize not only native species and ecosystems, but also the park’s potential to serve as a model for conservation-linked ecotourism and community development.

 Grant Award Use:

The $15,000 grant will support expansion of the Huemul monitoring program through new camera traps and patrols, youth-focused conservation education under the “Guardians of the National Park” initiative, and community engagement efforts that foster local stewardship. Funds will also help equip volunteers, promote awareness campaigns, and build capacity for conservation collaboration with park rangers. These targeted actions aim to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, strengthen biodiversity data collection, and empower local stakeholders as conservation leaders.

 What Would a Successful Project Result In?

A successful project will result in thriving Huemul populations, restored forest ecosystems, and a deeply engaged community actively participating in conservation and sustainable tourism. It will solidify Cerro Castillo’s status as a world-class conservation destination while creating long-term environmental and economic resilience for the region.