In Chile, there are 15,000 lakes and lagoons. In southern Chile lies the North Patagonian lake district with over 20 major lakes (from Colico to Todos Los Santos). Lakes will be a key source of drinking water in the face of climate change, offering 21 environmental services and serving as the foundation for regional tourism development. Only 2% of freshwater is immediately available, and of this, 90% is found in lakes and lagoons. These bodies of water are feed by rivers. They are fragile and unique ecosystems currently facing various threats, with eutrophication (lack of oxygen) being the most significant issue.
The Fundación Red de Nuevas Ideas, through its initiative Vigilantes del Lago, has over 20 years of experience in citizen monitoring and lake watershed governance. It has implemented significant projects with public and private funding in more than 10 watersheds in southern Chile (www.vigilanteslagos.org). Their primary focus is on environmental education, both in-classroom and outdoor activities, related to the aquatic ecosystem of the watershed. To empower students from schools in the Villarrica Lake watershed (a water network that also includes Caburgua Lake and an extensive river system such as the Liucura River) to become change agents for the protection of the watershed. This will be done through workshops, presentations, monitoring expeditions, and complementary activities (drawing and photography workshops on aquatic plants, aquatic-phase insects, birdlife, among others).
The hope is that students learn to appreciate the richness of these ecosystems, understand their threats, and provide valuable information for their protection. Through best practices shared during training sessions and expeditions, students are empowered with the tools and knowledge needed to inspire behavioural change — shifting from indifference to action.