Programs | WINTER Programs | CHILE

The Program

Team members will take part in hands-on investigations of the ecology and conservation of southern Chile’s species and communities. Our first objective is to become fluent in the natural history of this region, its climate and geography, and to become intimately familiar with many of the species that live therein. We will travel across a transect of ecological systems ranging from coastal Valdivian rainforests, home of the ancient alerce trees, to the alpine forests, tundra and snowfields of the Andes, to the grasslands that lie in the rain shadow of the cordillera. As we become familiar with the inhabitants of these ecosystems, we will conduct ecological research projects that examine interactions, patterns of diversity, and ecological niches of the species we encounter.

We will also investigate the effectiveness of key conservation measures, such as the establishment of national parks and private reserves, which seek to create sustainable livelihoods for local communities while protecting biodiversity through participation in ongoing conservation, restoration, and sustainable agriculture projects. Highlights will include extended field investigations throughout the Cochamó Valley, an area of incredible biodiversity and home to some of the most majestic granite formations in the world, and Parque Nacional Chiloé, on the fabled Isla Grande. These are two remarkable natural laboratories with intact forest and wildlife communities. However, despite their protected status and almost impenetrable landscapes, daunting conservation challenges loom, ranging from unsustainable and unregulated resource use by local communities to ambitious multinational development plans including new roads, dams and salmon farming.

Stories From the Field

Bella Ivory

Chile 2024 Alumni

“The six weeks I spent in the Patagonia region of Chile on the Wildlands 2024 program were truly the best of my life, filled with learning, personal growth, and lots of friendships. We explored the diverse landscapes of Chile, from active volcanoes and fjord systems to rugged coastlines and diverse forests types. Among the many unforgettable experiences, trekking through the Coachamo Valley—surrounded by towering granite walls—was where I felt the most personal transformation, both mentally and physically, as we hiked through the challenging terrain for 12 days.

As a highlight, we ended our trek on a permaculture farm, where we learned about and took part it sustainable agriculture, a truly eye opening experience that became one of my favorite parts of the journey and shifted the way I think about food consumption.

Our adventure then took us to the shores of Chiloe Island, where we immersed ourselves in conservation efforts and the rich indigenous traditions of the Mapuche people. We had the unique opportunity to learn about local culture, cooking and sharing meals rooted in Chilean tradition. By the end of the trip, I had not only formed lifelong friendships, but also improved my Spanish, gained a deeper understanding of Patagonia’s physical and cultural landscape, and created memories that I will carry with me forever.”

WATCH Bella’s Video

Program Photo Gallery

Darko Cotoras

lead instructor

PhD in Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley, 2014

Darko is an evolutionary biologist interested in understanding the historical processes that create biodiversity under conditions of isolation. His main study groups are spiders and other invertebrates present around the Pacific Ocean, with a focus on volcanic archipelagos and Gondwanic land masses. He integrates field and museum work to better understand phylogenetics, population genetics and genome assembly. His research has explored diverse topics such as adaptive radiation and color variation of spiders from Hawaii and southern Chile, colonization patterns of Pacific islands and arachnid diversity on the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Darko is passionate about biodiversity discovery, natural history and teaching. He has taught various field courses in Costa Rica and Chile. Darko leads our Chile program.