Exciting news from southern Chile! In collaboration with Jardín Botánico VerdeNativo near Puerto Octay, in the Chilean Lake District, The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) has officially launched in Chile.
From December 2–5, 2025, the Peru Hub (Huarango Nature)—José Manuel Mamani, Darwin García, and Oliver Whaley—together with the newly established VerdeNativo Botanical Garden, hosted Chile’s first TGBS assessor training course. Nineteen Chilean professionals from fields including forestry, environmental engineering, conservation, biology, and veterinary sciences participated. The course combined classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork in the unique setting of the VerdeNativo Botanical Garden, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, equipping participants to evaluate ecological restoration, agroforestry, and reforestation initiatives according to TGBS criteria and ensuring scientifically rigorous certification processes.
José Manuel Mamani, Coordinator and Training Officer of TGBS Hub-Perú, commented:
“The course combined lectures, technical talks, and practical group work in the beautiful Jardín Botánico VerdeNativo. It was extremely rewarding to share knowledge with such high-level professionals in this ideal environment.”
Oliver Whaley, Kew Gardens-associated scientist and Head of Strategic Alliances at TGBS Hub-Perú, added:
“Thanks to BGCI and TGBS, we have successfully launched this biodiversity standard in Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. We are grateful to Jardín Botánico VerdeNativo and its director Ilse Ilijic for making this course possible. We look forward to expanding TGBS outreach in Chile and Argentina in 2026.”
TGBS is emerging as a key reference in Chile, particularly in the context of growing investments in reforestation and nature-based solutions. The course also enabled participants to earn the “TGBS Assessor” international certification, valid for five years, supporting future project evaluations and strengthening conservation collaboration across Chile and South America.
