A huge success for the Somuncurá Plateau
In May 2025, Federico Kacoliris, project leader of Fundación Somuncurá, won the prestigious Whitley Award – a global recognition of his team’s pioneering work to protect the fragile Somuncurá Plateau in Argentinian Patagonia.
Dubbed the ‘Green Oscars’, the award drew particular attention to the following achievements:
- Acquiring 20,000 hectares (49,421 acres) towards setting up the region’s first Nature Reserve, putting the Somuncurá Plateau, a historically overlooked area, on the conservation map. At World Land Trust (WLT), we are thrilled that our Buy an Acre supporters have played a crucial role in this by funding Federico’s work with Fundación Somuncurá, through our mutual partnership with Fundación Hábitat y Desarrollo (FH&D).
- Overseeing a 15% increase in the population of the Critically Endangered El Rincon Stream Frog (Pleurodema somuncurense) and a recovery of the Critically Endangered Naked Characin (Gymnocharacinus bergii). The only known habitat of these two species is a single stream on the plateau, the Valcheta Stream.
- Reducing predation from invasive species like the Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Uruguay Tetra (Cheirodon interruptus) through the creation of fish barriers.
- Working closely with local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict by giving local farmers livestock guardian dogs. These dogs protect the farmers’ sheep from Puma (Puma concolor) and Andean Foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), thereby reducing retaliatory killing of these charismatic species. By understanding the needs of the local communities, Federico Kacoliris and the Fundación Somuncura team have created a win-win for both local communities and conservation.
The dedication of Federico and his team is helping to secure the future of the El Rincon Stream Frog (Pleurodema somuncurense) and the wider biodiversity of the plateau. Credit: Fundación Somuncurá
In his acceptance speech, Federico described his first encounter with the plateau and its wildlife. “When I first discovered these extraordinary animals struggling to thrive in such an extreme and remote place, I realised how fragile their existence was. That moment was a turning point in my life and became a platform for me to develop my passion for wildlife conservation. With my partner and a team of colleagues and friends, we decided to start a project to save them from extinction.
But we were even more ambitious. Our challenge was to turn them into flagship species to achieve the conservation of the whole biodiversity of the Somuncurá Plateau.”
What the Whitley Award will help make possible
Set up in 1993, the Whitley Awards provide the world’s most effective grassroots conservation leaders with £50,000 in project funding, professional media and leadership training, and membership in an international network of conservationists.
Federico and his team know exactly what they plan to do next. Their goals include restoring a further 20% of the Valcheta Streams’ headquarters to a thriving condition for the El Rincon Stream Frog and Naked Characin. In addition, they will begin creating sanctuaries in eight hot springs within the stream, ensuring that the species’ breeding sites are fully protected. Since the success of their livestock guardian dog initiative, they are aiming to scale this up even further, ensuring as many farmers as possible benefit from this innovative approach to human-wildlife coexistence. As Federico says, “This award will help us expand our work not only to conserve incredible wildlife, but also to build harmony between wildlife and the people who live on this land.”
One of the many livestock guardian dogs delivered to local farmers as part of Fundación Somuncurá innovative community conservation programme. Credit: Fundación Somuncurá
A shared success
At WLT, we are thrilled to see Fundación Somuncurá’s vital work recognised on the international stage. This win is not just a celebration of one organisation’s success – it is a testament to the power of long-term dedication, community support, and the belief that conservation must be inclusive and locally led.
We would like to say thank you to all our supporters. This award is a shared achievement, made possible by your ongoing commitment to protecting threatened places and the people working tirelessly to defend them. Together, we are helping to ensure that Patagonia’s extraordinary habitats – and the species who call it home – continue to thrive for generations to come.
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