Las Salinas de Huentelauquén – Ramsar Site
The word Huentelauquén comes from Mapudungun
and means “over the waters”
At the mouth of the Choapa River, in the Coquimbo region, a vast estuarine lagoon forms, surrounded by the semi-arid desert landscape of northern Chile. This landscape full of contrasts runs through the town of Huentelauquén, in the commune of Canela. On both banks of the river, small towns of the same name were formed: Huentelauquén Norte and Huentelauquén Sur, whose inhabitants today unite in the protection of the ecosystem they share.
With its 2,272 hectares, the Salinas de Huentelauquén Wetland is the largest in the Coquimbo region. It is composed of a surprising interconnected mosaic of highly diverse natural areas such as beaches, plains, dunes, ravines, runoff and coastal wetlands, in addition to its large estuarine lagoon. This wide variety of habitats is home to 160 species of birds, 14 mammals, 4 amphibians, and 133 flora, which is why this wetland was declared a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance on February 2, 2015.
With the aim of highlighting the natural and cultural heritage of this ecosystem, the Hacienda de Huentelauquén, located on the south bank of the river, and the Huentelauquén Agricultural Community on the north, signed an agreement with the Cosmos Foundation in 2023 to develop infrastructure that can accommodate tourism and education around the wetland, a space for contemplation, observation, and learning that contributes to the care of this ecosystem.
Esplanade of the Waters
Based on a participatory design and assessment process with the community, the needs and dreams of the territory’s inhabitants were identified. Cultural aspects of the ancient Huentelaquén culture were also collected , a cultural complex of hunter-gatherers who lived along the northern coast of Chile more than 8,000 years ago, from which we drew inspiration to design the “Explanada de las Aguas.”
The Water Esplanade is a space that seeks to be a meeting place for the community, a civic space for environmental education, contemplation, and connection with nature. This site offers a panoramic view of the wetland’s various habitats through four viewing points that enhance the view of the different aquatic ecosystems that make up the Ramsar site: the mountain range, the sea, the river, and the stationary lagoons.
The shape of the Esplanade of Waters is inspired by a stone, an archaeological remnant of the Huentelauquén Complex. These were stone objects used for ceremonial and ritual purposes. The materials seek to blend into the landscape, using local techniques and materials such as stones, cattails, and wood.
First stage: Mirador del Mar
In March 2024, we will inaugurate the first stage of the Esplanade of the Waters: the Mirador del Mar.
In a ceremony attended by a large community, children, adolescents, neighbors, and authorities were able to learn about the new infrastructure and view the wetland through the Mirador del Mar, which marks an important step toward creating a space for contemplation, gathering, and environmental education.
This milestone is the result of a virtuoso collaborative effort between the Huentelauquén Agricultural Community, the Municipality of Canela, and the Huentelauquén Estate, with whom we designed and built this space that will allow visitors to contemplate the Pacific Ocean to the west, providing an introspective experience.
The Mirador was co-financed by the Ministry of the Environment’s Environmental Protection Fund, contributions from the Agricultural Community, and the Huentelauquén Hacienda. We are already working on seeking funding to complete the Esplanade of Waters and continue to enhance the Salinas de Huentelauquén wetland.
