We celebrate WCS's first 60 years of work in Argentina, dedicated to the conservation of the species and natural environments that make Argentina unique.
Letter from Dr. Mariano González Roglich, General Director of WCS Argentina
In nature, change is constant: individuals develop, populations fluctuate, species evolve, and ecosystems undergo ecological successions. The human species has been an integral part of these changes on the planet for at least 300,000 years. However, our weight as a species has grown so much, and our singular impact is now so significant, that we face a series of global challenges that we cannot ignore: the climate crisis, mass species extinction, the emergence of zoonotic diseases, and the deterioration of environments and ecological processes.
Since 1964, WCS has been present in Argentina, contributing to the conservation of its species and spaces. It has done so while also navigating a series of socio-economic crises that challenged us to seek innovative, transformative, and socially just and equitable solutions. Over these six decades, our conservation approaches and strategies have evolved. But our values and principles have remained unchanged.
We are guided by the vision of healthy lands and seas where the wildlife that inspires us thrives: majestic condors flying in the vast sky above the Andes mountain range; abundant herds of guanacos migrating across the Patagonian steppe; colonies of penguins and elephant seals growing on the Argentine coast; recovering populations of southern right whales in the southwestern Atlantic; functional assemblages of pumas, foxes, and Andean cats coexisting with agricultural production and local communities that value the diversity and integrity of life; regenerated lands and climate-resilient seas connecting large protected areas in Argentina; and much more life...
Guided by this vision, three pillars have shaped our course:
Discover. We value knowledge to guide our actions. During this time, we have supported the scientific production of more than 600 published articles; we have accompanied the careers of fifty researchers and 170 fellows and doctoral students from national science and technology institutes; we have trained more than 1,000 technicians; promoted citizen science projects involving the commitment of more than 200 recreational fishermen willing to tag and release thousands of sharks alive, generating unprecedented and valuable information for their conservation; and involved the perspective and knowledge of a hundred livestock producers in the development and implementation of effective and lasting solutions for coexisting with wildlife.
Protect. We care for priority species and spaces, seeking to reduce the threats that cause their loss and deterioration. We generate information on more than 30 species of cartilaginous fish, mammals, and terrestrial and marine birds, which has supported the development of National Species Management Plans for species such as the guanaco, the huemul, and the escalandrún, and has supported the creation of more than 40 terrestrial and coastal-marine protected areas.
Inspire and collaborate. We recognize the power of networks. Coordinated work with various sectors and across multiple disciplines is essential to address the complex environmental challenges facing our country. That is why, throughout our history, we have entered into more than 60 partnerships and collaboration agreements with governments, civil society organizations, and private partners; we interact with a network of more than 21,000 people through our social media channels; and we have contributed to the creation of more than 1,000 newspaper articles to inspire people to discover and connect with nature.
During 2024, we will share stories of some of WCS's contributions to conservation in Argentina over the last 60 years. Our intention is twofold. On the one hand, we want to reconstruct a part of our history and connect it with our present actions and our vision for the future. On the other hand, and fundamentally, we hope to inspire a fresh, curious, respectful, and grateful view of the nature that surrounds us, motivating us to continue working for nature to care for the ecosystem on which all life on our planet depends.