National Botanical Garden of Viña del Mar

Located in the Valparaíso Region, the Viña del Mar National Botanical Garden is the largest of Chile’s five botanical gardens and a vital hub for native species conservation, environmental research, and education. Considered the ‘green lung’ of Viña del Mar, it used to welcome over 200,000 visitors annually, providing the community with a space for recreation, leisure, and learning. However, in February 2024, 90% of its surface was devastated by wildfires, representing an incalculable loss for the country’s biodiversity and natural heritage.

Ecosystemic Relevance

The National Botanical Garden houses nearly 1,300 plant species, playing a pivotal role in native flora conservation. Its integrated conservation strategy combined in situ and ex situ efforts to preserve the biodiversity of the Chilean biodiversity hotspot. Among its 32 botanical collections is the Sophora toromiro, a native species from Rapa Nui that is extinct in the wild.

Botanical gardens function as living encyclopedias where endangered species are studied, acclimated, and recovered, enabling their reintroduction into degraded ecosystems.

The Challenge

The summer of 2024 witnessed one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in Chile’s history and the second deadliest worldwide. The Valparaíso Region suffered the burning of over 9,500 hectares, the destruction of nearly 7,000 homes, and the tragic loss of 134 lives, leaving more than 5,000 people displaced. In the midst of this catastrophe, the Viña del Mar National Botanical Garden was practically consumed by flames, losing a vast portion of its vegetation.

Our Work

Since the wildfire, we at Fundación Reforestemos have stepped up to the challenge of driving the recovery of the Botanical Garden, focusing our efforts on the following actions:

In the initial phase, we carried out soil remediation, debris removal, and the control of fast-sprouting invasive alien species.

Wildfire prevention efforts, including the removal of dry hazardous fuels and the clearing of access roads.

Native reforestation utilizing ecosystem-specific species, driven by the invaluable support of community volunteers and corporate partners.

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