The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Aerial photograph of the twin freshwater lagunas and Colun Beach, Valdivian Coastal Reserve. © Mark Godfrey/TNC

The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Lead Conservation Partner to play a prominent role in guiding the ongoing stewardship and management of the Reserve. In addition to holding the majority representation on the board of a new Chilean foundation established to own and manage the Reserve, the Lead Conservation Partner will be entitled to develop an eco-friendly residence and a commercial ecotourism lodge within the Reserve. The Conservancy is seeking a minimum of $9 million for the Conservancy's capital costs and $6 million for a long-term management endowment from the Lead Conservation Partner.

Description
The property consists of 147,500 acres of coastal temperate rainforest in southern Chile and is known as the Valdivian Coastal Reserve. The property is located approximately 40 kms southwest of the city of Valdivia. The VCR is a globally important conservation area, harboring numerous plant and animal species that can only be found in the region.

Primary Conservation Objective

The vision for the Valdivian Coastal Reserve is to maintain a functional landscape that comprises representation of important Temperate Coastal Forest biodiversity, and to become a model of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, based on science and work with communities, which provides effective protection to the rich diversity of ecosystems, species and biological processes of the Reserve.

Biodiversity Highlights

Key natural features of the VCR include: Unique animals such as a small tree-dwelling marsupial called the mountain monkey that scientists consider a living fossil; the pudu, at 18 inches, the world's smallest deer; and a rare carnivore, the river otter. Some of the region's 58 bird species include: one of the world's largest woodpeckers; redlegged cormorants; black browed albatrosses; rufouslegged owls; and green-backed firecrowns. Critical plant species include: endangered Alerce forests (with stands over 2,000 years old), Olivillo coastal forests, and evergreen forests. The Reserve also includes critical freshwater systems (including lakes and eight major watersheds) and important marine systems along its 22 mile Pacific coast.

Qualifications and Restrictions

The Nature Conservancy will create a new Chilean NGO ("Fundacion" under Chilean law) which will receive title to the Reserve properties from the Conservancy. The governance of Fundacion Valdivian Coastal Reserve ("Fundacion VCR") will be established in the Fundacion VCR Bylaws. The Fundacion will enter into a management agreeement with the Conservancy for a minimum of 5 years. The Fundacion will donate up to 10,000 acres to the Government of Chile for the creation of a new National Park. Additionally, the Conservancy will establish a Conservation Easement on the VCR that will be held by the property and donated to the Government of Chile for a new National Park. The Fundacion will also pursue Natural Sanctuary designation for approximately 87,500 acres. Natural Sanctuary designation is a government designation for a Wildlife Protected Area which requires, among other things, an environmental impact assessment for any development projects on the property including government projects such as the construction of roads, dams, and power lines.