Experiencia Ambientalia

Work Areas

Main CEPA work area

Education: Experiencia Ambientalia is a multi-dimensional program that tackles different learning and engagement processes like:
problem solving, team building, leadership, strategic planning and motivation creating a sense of identity on the students linked to ecosystem value. It is also multiplatform, working online (using platforms like YouTube, Zoom, Moodle and WhatsApp) and onsite, with activities on various parts of the region that boost inquiry-based learning.
Communication: we promote our work on our social media, creating posts and videos for every activity we do and also making educational content related to the wetland for the community.
Community engagement and awareness raising: The Ambientalia Experience program engages with local communities at important shorebird habitats through community engagement projects led by youth.
While the students are developing their own projects, they are challenged to engage the community with different activities, inspired by the Community Engagement Toolkit developed by WHSRN. Additionally, the program offers weekly engagement activities related to shorebirds and conservation, which are aimed at promoting awareness and motivation
among participants. The program has a DEIJ policy, updated every year, to successfully engage underrepresented and underserved communities, especially in Mar Chiquita, including young indigenous leaders

Top three successes

1. Students Project Implementation: Participants are able to select which type of project they want to carry out, among the areas of conservation, research and sustainable business. They receive a total of six classes where they get the necessary tools to gradually build their project. The whole process ends in an exciting Project Fair. The experience gained in the three previous editions has shown the path to improvement of the program, and results have been improving edition after edition: 9 projects were supported in 2021, 17 in 2022, 18 in 2023 and we have 33 teams enrolled for the 2024 edition; which demonstrate a high retention rate, and increasing interest from local communities.
2. Environmental Leaders Forum: The students who obtain the best scores in the program receive a full scholarship to the Environmental Leaders Forum, a three-day event in Miramar de Ansenuza, where regional and international experts from renowned environmental organizations provide talks and workshops to our participants. In 2024, we are carrying out the fourth edition of this unique event.
3. Ambientalia Experience International Exchange: Laguna
   Mar Chiquita and Mono Lake (California, USA), together with Great Salt Lake, are part of a "three-part twinning" since June 1992, based on ecological similarities and the large number of Wilson's Phalaropes that migrate between them. Because of this, it is very important that there are tools for collaboration between these sites, and Experiencia Ambientalia encourages this. Fundación Líderes de Ansenuza partnered with the Mono Lake Committee, WHSRN and Manomet to make possible the
   first International Exchange between the youth of both lakes, when 5 students from Mar Chiquita traveled to Mono Lake in June and 6 students from Mono Lake came to Mar Chiquita in July, engaging in various conservation activities. An amazing example of how powerful site linking can be.

Top three challenges

1. International Engagement: The program constitutes an approach to building a network of young leaders at sites across the hemisphere, collaborating and engaging on regular exchanges to support conservation at a local, regional and hemispheric scale. But, even though the Exchange Trip was a great step, we are still working to
   engage other sites. Since the program has been implemented since 2021 in Mar Chiquita, Argentina, the knowledge gained and lessons learned are being studied to scale the model to other sites from different countries. The first steps in that direction are to collaborate in monthly activities with other sites important to shorebird and create lasting relationships with them.
2. Funding in an economically unstable country: Obtaining funds for an environmental education program in an economically unstable country like Argentina is difficult due to various reasons. In times of economic instability, governments and organizations often prioritize
   essential services over educational initiatives, making it hard to secure financial support. Additionally, high inflation and unpredictable currency fluctuations complicate budgeting and managing funds, further discouraging potential donors and investors from committing to long-term projects. Every year, we strive to overcome these difficulties by diversifying our funding sources to adapt to economic challenges and ensure the sustainability of our program.
3. Distances: We face challenges in covering the entire Ansenuza region due to vast distances and high costs, but we overcome these obstacles by using technology and relying on a dedicated network of volunteers who willingly sacrifice their time and effort for our purpose. A great team is essential to our success.