Amphibious Forest
From River Guardians to Land Stewards
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Trees
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Square Meters
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Native Species
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Youth Impacted
In Cochrane, a small town in the Aysén region of Chilean Patagonia, a youth-led group called Escualos has been working for years to protect the Cochrane River. Their efforts combine environmental education with water sports, helping young people build a strong connection to the river and a deep sense of responsibility for its future. Attempts to revive the degraded riverbank land have faced significant challenges, with dry soil making it hard for native plants to reestablish.
The Amphibious Forest project marks a new chapter. By planting a dense, native pocket forest, the project will give Escualos practical tools and ecological knowledge to bring the land back to life. This approach has the potential to regenerate the riverbanks far more effectively than past attempts, creating a healthier ecosystem that supports both land and water. Beyond ecological impact, the forest will become a hands-on learning space for the community - a place where young people can actively shape the landscape around them. For Escualos, it’s a way to extend their stewardship from river to land, and to grow a legacy of care rooted in local knowledge and long-term restoration.
Forest Maker
Naturaleza Pública
Forest Partner
Forest Design
The forest design centers on creating a dense, resilient mosaic of native vegetation that can thrive in Cochrane’s dry, degraded riverbanks. Layered plantings of Lenga Beech (Nothofagus pumilio) and Nothofagus antarctica Antarctic Beech (Nothofagus antarctica) form a protective canopy and mid-story, casting shade that improves soil moisture over time. Beneath them, Chilean Firebush (Embothrium coccineum) and Orange Ball Tree (Buddleja globosa) add structural diversity, stabilizing the ground while attracting pollinators.
This compact composition mimics natural Patagonian forest dynamics, accelerating regeneration and creating a living buffer that reconnects land and water. Designed as a teaching landscape, it offers Escualos a practical space to observe ecological recovery firsthand.
Planting: October 2025
“The project transforms the landscape into a public living laboratory, strengthening the youths' ability to protect and enhance, both river and land, for future generations.”
- María Jesús May Espinosa, SUGi Forest Maker
The Escualos
Escualos is a grassroots movement of young environmentalists in Cochrane, Patagonia, dedicated to protecting local rivers through water sports and environmental education. Over the years, they’ve built a deep connection with the Cochrane River, advocating for its conservation. However, despite their efforts, previous attempts to restore the surrounding degraded land have struggled, revealing a need for new, more effective strategies.
