Felipe Ortega: Intercultural Planning with Communities and Ecosystems

Abstract

In this episode of Smart Forests Radio, we talk with Felipe Ortega, a biologist and park ranger at Villarrica National Park in Chile's Araucanía region, about intercultural engagements with communities and ecosystems. Felipe outlines how participatory governance, environmental education, and ecosystems monitoring using camera traps and drones come together to address threats to cultural and ecological priorities in the territory. He notes that territorial management and protection is shaped by customary practices and community participation. The discussion shows how the park has become a social and geographical hub, facilitating collaboration between communities and organisations such as the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) in responding to environmental events like forest fires.