| Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina

The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...

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OUR STORY

A summary of our 47 years of history and commitment for a world where people and nature can thrive.

1977 - VIDA SILVESTRE IS BORN

In 1977 a group of enthusiastic Argentines created Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina to contribute to the conservation of nature in our country. The act was signed on June 29th, 1977, at the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences.

Institutional video

1979 - CAMPOS DEL TUYÚ

In 1979 we created the Campos del Tuyú Vida Silvestre Reserve and in 1985 we launched a campaign that, with the participation of thousands of Argentines, achieved the expansion of the Reserve by 2,000 hectares. In 2008 we donated it to the National Parks Administration and, in 2009, the Campos del Tuyú National Park was created, the first to protect the Pampas region, with 3,040 hectares.

1987 - VIDA SILESTRE REFUGES PROGRAM

In 1987 we launched the Vida Silestre Refuges Program to promote conservation and sustainable use in private lands. In 2014, we helped create the Argentine Network of Private Nature Reserves, which at present is conformed of 111 private reserves and 10 conservation organizations, totaling 176,938.4 hectares under voluntary conservation.

1977 - WWF ASSOCIATION

In 1988, we associate the largest international network of environmental organizations: WWF (World Wildlife Fund), with which we have been affiliated ever since.

1991 - MANOS ("Hands")

In 1991, we launched the "Manos" (Hands in English) campaign, a television commercial that had a great impact and won multiple awards, including the Clio Award (the highest award in the advertising industry) in 1991. Thirty years later, in 2021, we relaunched this emblem of our work.

See the video

1997 - VIDA SILVESTRE URUGUA-Í RESERVE

In 1997 we created our second reserve: the Urugua-í Vida Silvestre Reserve. It conserves 3,243 hectares of Atlantic Forest, protecting the flora and fauna within (such as jaguars, tapirs, and yacutingas), and safeguarding the middle course of the Urugua-í Stream. It serves as a knowledge hub and training center for the study and conservation of the Atlantic Forest.

Video Urugua-í Reserve

2001 - MONTE LEÓN

In 2001 we purchased the Monte León ranch, thanks to a donation from the Patagonia Land Trust, to create the first National Park on the Patagonian coast, with 62,169 hectares, in 2004.

2005 - SAN PABLO OF VALDÉS RESERVE

In 2005 we created our third reserve: Vida Silvestre San Pablo of Valdés Reserve with 7,360 hectares of extension with 14 kilometers of coastline along the Golfo Nuevo. This time, in the Valdes Peninsula, a Natural World Heritage Site (UNESCO).

Video about Valdés reserve

2007 - FOREST LAW

In 2007, together with other organizations, we impacted the enactment of the Law of Minimum Standards for the Environmental Protection of Native Forests. This law seeks to reduce the high level of deforestation suffered by the forested regions of the country and to promote the responsible and sustainable use of native forests. Since its enactment and up to the present day, we have continued working on its monitoring, implementation and financing.

Website of Forest Law

2011 - SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN GRASSLANDS

In 2011 we launched the pilot experiences of sustainable livestock production in grasslands with 8,500 hectares and 9 producers in Bahía Samborombón. Today we continue to work with livestock producers to promote sustainable livestock practices.

2013 - FIRST ARGENTINA'S MARINE PROTECTED AREA

In 2013, the first Marine Protected Area Namuncurá-Banco Burdwood was created, and in 2014 the National System of Marine Protected Areas was formed. We did this as part of the Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea and areas of influence (of which WWF Chile is also a part of). We continue to promote the creation of new areas for our sea, which in 2024 already reaches 9.4% protected.

2019 - CITZEN SCIENCE

In 2019 we launched ArgentiNat, the local node of iNaturalist, the global citizen science platform, to promote the culture of observing, recording, and disseminating biodiversity. In 2024 ArgentiNat achieved one and a half million observations, given by around 20.000 people, showing people's interest in knowing their natural environment and being active participants in the creation of knowledge. Today is the citizen science platform with the most users in Argentina.

Find out more

2021 - ATLANTIC FOREST RESTORATION

The Atlantic Forest is one of the 8 hottest hotspots for conservation priorities. In there we are carrying out restoration initiatives with small and medium-sized rural producers to improve the environment and their quality of life. Since 2008, more than 500 hectares have been restored, which means more than 200.000 trees, together with more than 170 rural families in the Atlantic Forest. On 2022 the United Nations recognized the forest restoration work in the Atlantic Forest as one of the most promising and significant in the world, naming it a World Restoration Flagship of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Read UN article about it

2022 - JAGUAR CONSERVATION

We work for the conservation of the largest feline in the Americas, in the Atlantic Forest and the Gran Chaco. In both regions, we conduct monitoring and surveys of the species in collaboration with other organizations. Through these efforts, we have identified several individuals in the Gran Chaco in recent years, among the approximately 20 that inhabit the region. In Misiones, our efforts have doubled the number of jaguars, with a current population of 90 individuals. In addition, we are part of the strategy for jaguar conservation in 15 priority landscapes for WWF.

Video jaguar conservation

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2022 - PLASTICS PROVINCIAL MARINE COASTAL-DEBRIS CENSUS

This initiative, active since 2016, aims to reduce marine litter impacting marine life and works with municipalities to generate joint information. Organized together with NGOs and volunteers from major coastal cities in Buenos Aires, the annual census records and analyzes data on coastal pollution to find solutions. More than 70% of the censused waste is plastic.

2023 - OUR OFFICE IS POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY

Our main office, located in the City of Buenos Aires, is 100% solar powered, leading the shift towards clean and renewable energy. By implementing a photovoltaic energy system that harnesses sunlight, the office is powered by renewable energy. This affirms our commitment to caring for the environment and our firm belief that, even in cities, it is possible to be part of the solution to global environmental challenges.

See the process to achieve it

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2024 - EDUCATION

Since the early 1980s, we have been dedicated to Environmental Education. From organizing children's safaris back then to our current initiatives, we have conducted over 700 workshops for children and virtually trained more than 13,000 teachers in recent years. Our online platform also provides free downloadable materials to support educators and strengthen their capacity.

Education website

together possible.