Newsletter No. 1
May 2023 – October 2025
This Newsletter provides a summary of the activities carried out between May 2023 and October 2025. Its purpose is to inform those who support Ecomemoria, as well as other interested individuals or organizations, about the progress, achievements, and challenges faced in relation to the establishment, development, and maintenance of the Ecomemoria Forest, located in Curacautín, Araucanía Region, Chile.
This newsletter aims to make the project’s progress transparent and strengthen ties with those who make its development possible. Starting in 2026, this newsletter will be published semiannually, complementing the information available on the official website (ecomemoria.cl) and Ecomemoria’s social networks (Facebook and Instagram), with the purpose of maintaining fluid and permanent communication with the community, volunteers, and the international support network.
2023 – Foundation and First Plantation
During 2023, the material and symbolic foundations of the Ecomemoria project were laid. Initial infrastructure: The perimeter fence and the main access gate were built, an essential work to protect the land from the entry of animals, particularly cows, oxen, and horses, which could damage the newly planted trees. The area where Ecomemoria is located hosts a great diversity of local fauna, including birds, small mammals, and pollinating insects. More than one-third of the area comprises a biological corridor of high importance for the ecosystem.
One of the threats to the new trees comes from the high population of wild rabbits, which can gnaw on the stems and roots of the newly planted specimens. To mitigate this risk and maintain balance with native fauna, each tree is protected with a barrier designed not to affect the trees or the animals themselves, thus allowing harmonious and sustainable coexistence between the natural ecosystem and the project’s development.
Start of the planting period: On May 9, 2023, the planting of native trees began. Thanks to the support of national and foreign volunteers, as well as social and union organizations, 400 trees were planted, including raulí, coigüe, oak, maitén, arrayán, notro, radal, and lumilla, in a gesture of deep connection between memory, land, and hope. Each of these trees is being georeferenced and bears the name of the victim it represents.
Inauguration of the Memory Forest: On September 9, 2023, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the civic-military coup in Chile, the inauguration ceremony of the Ecomemoria Forest was held, with the participation of relatives of victims from different parts of the country and abroad, representatives of Associations of Relatives of the Disappeared Detainees and Politically Executed, social and union organizations (ANEF, CUT), international delegations, Mapuche communities, and representatives of local and regional government.
2024 – Planting, Irrigation, and Community Consolidation
The year 2024 was marked by the consolidation of ecological and community work.
Water infrastructure: The construction of a 39-meter-deep well was completed, providing sufficient water for forest irrigation, a fundamental step to ensure the survival of trees during summer periods. Alongside the well, two water tanks were installed to serve as supply points for irrigation and forest care.
Summer irrigation campaign (January–April 2024): Two organizations participated: Modatima Wallmapu and the Mapuche Community Liempi Colipi, along with more than 30 volunteers from different regions of Chile and countries such as Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Norway, England, and Scotland. Each tree received an average of 5 litres of water every two days, representing more than 25,000 litres used throughout the irrigation season.
Winter maintenance: During the winter, reinforcement of stakes and protective fences was carried out, as well as structural inspection of the trees to prevent damage from wind or snow.
New plantation: In parallel, a second plantation of about 400 native trees was carried out, continuing with the forest expansion plan. Our final goal is the planting of 3,300 native trees, one tree for each victim of enforced disappearance and political execution during the dictatorship
Complementary infrastructure: A protective terrace and two ecological bathrooms were built to facilitate work and volunteer days. This infrastructure also serves as a meeting, conversation, and educational space for volunteers and visitors who continuously arrive at Ecomemoria.
Results of the year: Thanks to moderate weather conditions and the care provided, tree losses were below 5%, a figure considered low compared to the mortality range of recent native plantations, estimated between 20% and 40% by forestry specialists from the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF).
2025 – Climate Challenges and New Plantations
The year 2025 presented especially adverse climatic conditions, which endangered many of the trees.
Irrigation and maintenance campaign: During the summer, a new irrigation campaign was carried out with the participation of members of Modatima Wallmapu, CONAF, and 15 volunteers. Stakes were reinforced, protection systems were maintained, and daily irrigation was used to reduce the impact of an extremely hot and dry summer, one of the most intense in recent years in the area.
Climate impact: High temperatures caused an approximate loss of 35% of the planted trees, mainly in the most exposed areas. This scenario reinforces the need to continue improving water collection systems and to establish soil conservation works (OCAS) and living fences, as proposed in the 2025 Forestry Technical Report prepared by volunteer technicians.
Autumn reforestation: In response to the losses, during autumn 2025 a new reforestation day was carried out with 1,500 replants, strengthening the forest’s vegetation cover.
Establishment of a nonprofit organization: Ecomemoria was established as a Foundation, thus obtaining legal personality. This will allow collaborations with other organizations both in Chile and abroad, as well as projecting in the future an open space for the community for education in ecology and memory. At the time of preparing this newsletter, Ecomemoria has an incipient forest, with native trees belonging to 21 different species, carefully selected to reflect the biodiversity of the territory and strengthen the forest’s ecological balance.
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Financial Summary May 2023 – October 2025 This financial report summarizes the main sources of funding and the use of resources corresponding to the period May 2023 – October 2025 of the Ecomemoria Project. Sources of funding: During this period, most of the financial resources came from donations by individuals residing in Chile, the United Kingdom, and other European countries. There was also support from social and union organizations (ANEF, CUT) and from CONAF, which in 2023, at the start of the project, donated trees in the name of victims belonging to their organizations. These donations were made directly through fundraising activities, individual transfers, and support campaigns promoted by related organizations and individuals committed to the cause of human rights, truth, and justice. The contributions received during the 2023–2025 period have been essential in consolidating Ecomemoria as a living space of memory and restoration and protection of the native forest and ecosystem, and as a reference in the articulation between historical memory, ecological justice, and human rights. Use of funds: The resources received have been mainly allocated to the following areas: Basic infrastructure – Planting and care of native species – Ecological maintenance and monitoring. Community and educational activities: organization of volunteer days, guided visits, and activities with local communities, families of victims, and NGOs. Logistical costs: for carrying out various tasks (fuel, purchase of materials, food for volunteer days, among others) Undoubtedly, the financial costs of this project would be much higher if it were not for the permanent volunteer work of those who are part of the project, and those who have collaborated in irrigation, planting, and technical support activities. Total Raised: $43,975,120 CLP Total Expenses: $43,820,829 CLP Balance: $154,291 CLP Having obtained legal personality in Chile has allowed us to open an institutional bank account, offering greater transparency, trust, and formality for individuals and organisations wishing to support the project financially. As you can see, the needs of the Forest go beyond what can be sustained solely through volunteer work. If you wish to continue supporting us or make new donations, these can be made directly to our institutional account: Bank Details (CHILE) Account Name: Fundación Ecomemoria RUT: 65250519-8 Bank: Banco Estado Checking Account Number: 63270332376 SWIFT CODE: BECHCLRM
The project reaffirms its commitment to transparency in resource management, accountability to its collaborators, and the strengthening of its mission: “Sowing Memory, Fighting for Truth and Justice” ====================================== LOOKING AHEAD The journey of Ecomemoria continues. The collective effort of hundreds of people, in Chile and abroad, has made it possible to transform a bare piece of land into a living space of memory, dignity, and native forest. The challenge for the coming years will be to ensure the ecological and community sustainability of the project, expanding support networks, strengthening local alliances, and continuing the work of environmental education and historical memory. Ecomemoria deeply thanks all the individuals, families, and organizations who, with their time, work, and/or donations, have made it possible to keep this seed of life, justice, and memory alive.