ABOUT CHILOÉ ISLAND
Chiloé Island lays off the Pacific coast of southern Chile, making up the northwest corner of the renowned Patagonia region of South America. It offers a rich and diverse landscape and culture, but those facing such issues as deforestation, plastic pollution, waste management issues, and destruction of marine habitat due to commercial fish farms.
We are proudly partnered with ÜNÜ and the MERI Foundation on Chiloé Island.
LOCAL GOALS
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
LOCAL PARTNERS
A non-traditional brand of Social Innovation that seeks to restore the bond between forest, ocean and people. Their purpose is to create jobs for the local community, reforest the native lands and educate about plastic and the oceans. Inspired by Chiloé and its people, their line of home decor products are beautiful, eco-friendly, and authentic.
Is a non-profit institution that develops scientific research and environmental education, in connection with communities, for the conservation of strategic ecosystems.
From natural laboratories located at latitudes 22 °, 33 ° and 44 ° in Chile, they focus on reducing, from different angles, the threats that affect the effective conservation of these territories.
OCEAN & FOREST CONSERVATION
We are collaborating with ÜNÜ to produce the first-ever Trees & Seas Festival – a five-day celebration bringing together ocean and forest conservation with culture, arts, and community education.
Taking place in August 2021, it will also feature community-based satellite events throughout the globe.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Meri carries out environmental education programs and activities in colaboration with communities, educational establishments and public and private institutions in the provinces of Chiloé, Palena and Aysén. From environmental education they address four themes: cetaceans of northern Patagonia, freshwater ecosystems, Chono culture, and Patagonian forests. Foto: Fundación MERI.
SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISANS AND ECONOMY
Plastic Oceans supports the work of ÜNÜ and their efforts to provide long-term employment for local artisans Chiloé Island. They produce beautiful handcrafted furniture, kitchenware and decorative home products.
SUMMER CAMPAIGN “WHALE IN SIGHT!”
Every summer, since 2018, MERI carries out, in collaboration with partner institutions from the provinces of Chiloé, Palena and Aysén, workshops, stands at traditional festivals, beach cleaning and other activities that seek to raise awareness about the care of cetaceans and the marine ecoregion of Chiloé . This 2021, the IV Campaign #ballenaalavista! will be virtual, join us and let’s learn together to care for and love the ocean! Foto: Fundación MERI