About Us
We're a small trust dedicated to preserving endangered species and defending the habitats that are essential to their survival.
Our Work
Maintain Habitat For Our Wildlife
Reforestation
We have planted over 1000 trees during the past 13 years, that include Inga, Pindo, Ibira pita, Guayabo, Higeron, Curupi, Ubajay, Laurel, Ceibo, Lapacho, Orquidea.
Bat Research
Our bat team is the major researcher in the provinces of Corrientes and Misiones. We survey many locations for bats and conduct capture/release sessions, place static bat recorders for later analysis, search for roosts, rehabilitate bats, analyse bat guano, use radio transmitters to track bats, educate the general public,write scientific papers amongst other bat related themes.
Study Of Strange-Tailed Tyrant
The Strange-tailed Tyrant is the most iconic bird of the Esteros del Ibera. In Reserva Don Luis, we have dozens of these birds that breed here in spring and summer. Threats include habitat loss, pesticides, deliberate fires as a result of cattle ranching and non-native forestation. We maintain our pasture to enable the species to have the best chance of successful breeding. We also monitor nests using camera traps and volunteers.
Meet Our Team
Miranda Collett
Founding Trustee
Michael Collett
Enforcer
Alejandra Boloqui And Cepi Oporto
Trustees
Martin Bossart
Trustee
Our Story
Our trust has been formed with the aim of preserving habitat for species (other than humans) with particular emphasis on areas for endangered species. Most of our interest at the current time lies in North East Argentina. With this aim in mind, we completed the process of buying 1600 hectares of private land in the Esteros del Iberá in 2010. This is a vast wetland in the province of Corrientes consisting over 15,000 km2.
Iberá is the second largest wetland in the Americas, after the Pantanal in Brazil, and has amazing biodiversity which includes over 330 species of bird. It is still relatively unknown and needs a lot more research on the numerous species. Mammals include the near-threatened (NT) Pampas Deer* the (NT) Maned Wolf *and the vulnerable (VU) Marsh Deer.* The (NT) Giant Anteater* has recently been reintroduced to the area and our trust was involved in this project.
Endangered birds include the (VU) Strange Tailed Tyrant, the (VU) Black & white Monjita,the (VU) Ochre breasted pippit,3 Sporophila seedeaters (CR, EN, NT), the Yellow cardinal (EN) and the Saffron Cowled Blackbird (VU).*
* IUCN Redlist
We have poured large amounts of personal money into this project, and will continue to do so. But the task is gigantic, and we desperately need help. Any donation, however small, will be used for the good of the habitat. It will allow us to do more, not to ease our own financial burden. Similarly, if anyone would like to help with buying items for the Trust such as incubating equipment, infra-red cameras, sound recording equipment, powerful torches or anything to help our projects we would be delighted. We now have adoption kits for purchase for the Marsh Deer which are good value at £28 British pounds – please see our page ‘Adopt a Marsh Deer’.
We are eager to hear from conservationists and biologists interested in carrying out surveys or research, or in purchasing land for conservation in this important area. We are always looking out for volunteers to help with jobs at the reserve and with the research.
There are other vulnerable or near threatened animals and birds in this area and it is a viable proposition to try to save their habitat. It has not yet reached the point of no hope, unlike many areas of the world. So our work here has barely begun and we hope to expand the reserve some time in the future when neigbouring land becomes available.
Our Mission
To conserve and protect endangered species in North East Argentina’s Esteros del Iberá wetlands through land acquisition, research, and community collaboration. Join us in preserving this vital ecosystem for future generation
