Conservation Leadership School
This is a program that brings together courses and programs aimed at increasing the capabilities of leaders from communities near the protected areas where FCM implements conservation actions. These are opportunities for free and accredited training, which adhere to programs developed by the FCM team in partnership with key allies to ensure the quality of each training course.
Management course for wetland conservation
The growing interest in the protection of wetlands in Chile, due to the high value of these ecosystems and the threats they face, has led to a prioritization of wetland conservation at the regional level. This presents a challenge in terms of conservation and management, especially for local actors directly linked to wetlands. Although they live with these ecosystems and make decisions about the territories where they are located, they often lack the basic tools for better conservation, management, and governance. This course aims to reduce the educational gap by providing basic and applied knowledge for the management of wetlands important for the conservation of migratory shorebirds in the Los Lagos Region. This high-level course began in 2019, and six editions have been held so far, with 123 students participating. The course lasts for 68 chronological hours and is divided into 12 thematic modules. Each participant must complete a final project to achieve certification granted by FCM and accredited by the Santo Tomás University, Puerto Montt campus.
Training for Local Birdwatching Guides
Local birdwatching guides play a crucial role in supporting the conservation of birds and their habitats. Initiated in 2020, this program aims to increase the knowledge and application of best birdwatching practices among local guides associated with the protected wetland areas of the Maullín River. Within this framework, the first manual for Sustainable Tourism of the Nature Sanctuary Wetlands of the Maullín River was produced. In 2022, the program expanded to include the protected areas of Bahía Curaco de Vélez and Villa Quinchao in Chiloé, as well as the RHRAP Marine Wetland of Coihuín. Subsequently, efforts have been made to collaborate with a cadre of tourism operators and local guides, increasingly specializing in nature tourism and birdwatching. In 2023, the Coastal Solutions program was integrated, which, through its scholarship model, enhances the training program by increasing the opportunities for training and experience exchange tours for this group of guides across Coihuín, Maullín, and Chiloé. The training curriculum has included courses on bird identification for guides, certified first aid courses and assistance in remote locations (WAFA), Leave No Trace courses accredited by the NOLS school, and the participation of a local operator from Maullín in the South American Bird Fair held in Mindo, Ecuador, for the first time. Additionally, collaboration agreements have been established with the Chilean Birdwatching Network (ROC).
Environmental citizen monitors
Through a participatory approach, this initiative promotes the involvement of individuals directly related to the use of the Maullín River and its wetlands, as well as those interested in the conservation of the Nature Sanctuary Wetlands of the Maullín River and monitoring activities. Participatory monitoring involves people from various communities and local organizations as a strategy to strengthen the governance of the Nature Sanctuary. This approach fosters greater awareness of the issues and solutions related to the management of the Maullín River and its wetlands.