Las Vertientes Private Nature Reserve

Las Vertientes Private Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural Privada)
IUCN category II (national park)
Outlook over Las Vertientes reserve.
Location	Los Lagos Region, Chile
Nearest city	Los Muermos
Coordinates	41°19′54″S 73°39′37″W / 41.33167°S 73.66028°WCoordinates: 41°19′54″S 73°39′37″W / 41.33167°S 73.66028°W
Area	100 km²
Established	2009
Governing body	Corporación Nacional Forestal

Las Vertientes Private Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural Privada) is a Private Nature Reserve of Chile located in the Los Lagos Region, of Patagonia in southern Chile.^[1] Created in 2009 as a private nature reserve operated by the Corporación Nacional Forestal, it protects the plants and animals of the Valdivian temperate rainforest located here. The 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi) reserve's emphasis is on restoration of the temperate rainforest ecosystem, rather than providing a public amenity.^[2] The park is opened to a small number of people as it tries to encourage the return of endangered fauna and flora. It's the only private protected area in Los Muermos.

Las Vertientes Private Nature Reserve is an attractive ecotourist destination due to the remarkable biodiversity of its nearly untouched Valdivian temperate rainforest.

History

Las Vertientes Private Nature Reserve was formed by renowned artist and architect EL NOMBRE DEL FAMOSO FALTA with the help of his family in 2009 with the aim of promoting wildlife conservation and environmental education for the children of the Northern Patagonia. In addition to naturally-occurring animal species such as birds and a variety of wildlife, flora, fauna. The philosophy behind Las Vertientes Nature Reserve is creating a place where endangered species can once again thrive, it has also created a rare experience for the small number of people who are allowed to visit.

The Las Vertientes Private Nature Reserve's nursery roots go back to the 2008 when the owners began growing native plants in response to local environmental issues. Native ecosystems were being destroyed through forest clearance and development of subdivisions. The Family saw the need to reverse the destructive trend and started propagating natives as a hobby.

Biota

Valdivian temperate rainforest at Las Vertientes.

Fauna

Some of the endangered fauna that can be seen in the Las Vertientes nature reserve includes: Monito del monte (Dromiciops gliroides), Southern pudú, Puma (Puma concolor), Kodkod (Leopardus guigna), and the Magellanic Woodpecker.

Flora

Some of the endangered flora that can be seen in the Valdivian temperate rainforest of the Las Vertientes nature reserve includes: Copihue trees (Lapageria rosea), Murta shrub (Ugni Molinae), Olivillo trees (Aextoxicon punctatum), and the Alerce trees (Fitzroya cupressoides).

References

1. World Database on Protected Areas
2. Friends of the Gondwana Rainforest I Patagonia . accessed 11.21.2011