Documentary “Returning to inhabit: restoring the Maipo River Wetland Nature Sanctuary”
Through stunning images of the Sanctuary’s birdlife, this Cosmos Foundation production tells the story of community restoration of degraded areas of the Maipo River Wetland.
Documentary “Return to Living”
Volver a Habitar tells the story of the Comprehensive Recovery Program of the Maipo River Wetland Nature Sanctuary, a collaborative project where the community, science, and public and private institutions have come together to rehabilitate degraded areas of one of the most important ecosystems on Chile’s central coast.
Directed by renowned documentary filmmaker Mateo Barrenengoa, this Cosmos Foundation production combines stories from key players in the restoration—such as park rangers, specialists, residents, seniors, and volunteers—with stunning images of the wetland’s birdlife and landscapes.
Regeneration of the Maipo socioecosystem
In 2023, we were awarded a grant from the Valparaíso Regional Government to implement the “Comprehensive Recovery Program for the Maipo River Wetland Nature Sanctuary.” This project aimed to reconnect communities with the ecosystem through a process of restoring three degraded hectares.
Recognizing that the well-being of nature depends on the relationship between inhabitants and their territories, capacity building was established and residents were provided with theoretical and practical tools for wetland recovery, carrying out a community-based process, hand in hand with science, to eliminate threats and subsequently restore the environment.
LIRH
With the aim of providing experience for the recovery of ecosystems in the Central zone of Chile, this program aims to become the Laboratory of Innovation for Wetland Restoration (LIHR).
The first steps have been the installation of a greenhouse to create a nursery for the reproduction of native species, and the testing of various restoration techniques applied to the bioregional context. Thus, the laboratory seeks to generate experiences and knowledge to replicate in other similar ecosystems that have suffered degradation.
“This lab represents a new stage in our restoration work, allowing us to explore innovative solutions for wetland conservation and strengthen our work with the community.”
Diego Urrejola
Executive Director of the Cosmos Foundation
