RiO URUGUAY Project
RIO URUGUAY PROJECT
Butler Conservation, Inc, owned by philanthropist Gilbert Butler, is providing the funds for the purchase and donation of land and infrastructure for the project in both countries; WCS Argentina and Cono Sur, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Banco de Bosques and AMBÁ Uruguay are working in coordination with the collaboration of local governments to manage the acquisition and donation of the islands to the States, the design of the conservation corridor, and the strengthening of infrastructure and capacities for the effective management of the areas.
This project foresees the donation of 514 and 2695 hectares to the governments of Uruguay and Argentina, respectively, to increase the category of protection on both banks of the lower Uruguay River. The area, located between Fray Bentos (Río Negro, Uruguay) and Concepción del Uruguay (Entre Ríos, Argentina), includes islands, canals, wetlands, grasslands and riparian forests of great value for the natural and cultural heritage of both countries, including an important diversity of native flora and fauna.
KAYAK SCHOOLS
The schools are located in the towns of San Javier and Nuevo Berlín, in the department of Fray Bentos. Thanks to the «Islas y Canales Verdes del Río Uruguay» project, AMBÁ provides support and coordination of the donation of 50 kayaks, training and necessary equipment to strengthen the schools’ activities.
Classes are open to all children and young people in the area. The objective is to offer an environmental education activity and thus achieve an approach to nature and the «river culture». It is a unique opportunity to get to know closely the Esteros de Farrapos National Park and the Uruguay River Islands and get involved with the country’s ecosystems, raising awareness about the importance of the conservation of these environments.
SHELTERS AND TRAILS
In order to contribute to the sustainable development of the area, shelters and trails were built to encourage nature tourism and environmental education activities that promote the conservation of the Uruguay River ecosystems.
The shelters were built on Basura Island, Penguin Island, and at the mouth of Farrapos Creek. These shelters can accommodate eight to ten people and are intended to allow tourists and neighbors to visit the area at any time of the year. The structures are made of metal with wood cladding and are six meters high to prevent water from reaching them during river floods, although they can be flooded.
It is important to highlight that the trails were built with materials according to the ecosystems they traverse, generating platforms that allow visitors to inhabit the space without generating major impacts.