This Thursday, a key donation of islands made by the American billionaire Gilbert Butler to Uruguay for the expansion of a protected area was finalized.
Now, the three islands on the Uruguay River will pass into the hands of the Uruguayan State.
This also opens up the possibility of forming the first binational park between Uruguay and Argentina.
It was the Uruguayan president, Yamandú Orsi, who highlighted this while leading the act of incorporation of the 514 hectares corresponding to the Chala, Pingüino, and Ingá islands.
“It’s been several decades since we’ve seen anything like this,” expressed the president during the ceremony held in Río Negro.
The donation of islands, part of an unprecedented conservation project
The Butler Foundation completed the transfer of these territories located in the channels of the Uruguay River, between San Javier and Nuevo Berlín this week.
These are the first lands to enter Uruguay’s National System of Protected Areas under this modality.
Thus, the Minister of Environment, Edgardo Ortuño, announced the expansion of the protected area Esteros de Farrapos.
Now, the reserve will increase to 21,565 hectares and 35 islands following the donation.
The three islands are part of the Green Islands and Channels Project of the Uruguay River.
This binational initiative involves territories of Uruguay and Argentina with a strong focus on biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecotourism.
“It’s the first time something of these characteristics links us with the Argentine side,” said Orsi.
Thus, the president was enthusiastic about “the great opportunity to form a unique binational park together with Argentina“.
Then, after the signing of the delivery act, a visit to the islands was made with limited slots.
This restriction responds to environmental preservation criteria established by the project’s promoters.
A binational protected area takes shape
The mayor of Río Negro, Guillermo Levratto, considered that “talking about a binational micro-region is a huge challenge that we take on today”.
The official valued that this initiative positions the coastline in the national and international arena.
Levratto suggested that nature “should be treated as a great factor of development, with the environment and its care”.
He committed to developing the tourism value chain through training and encouragement of river nautical tourism.
The project is driven by the local organization AMBÁ, along with Butler Parkland, WCS Argentina, and Banco de Bosques.
This is funded by the American philanthropist Gilbert Butler, who attended the official event.
The main objective of the donation is to strengthen the effective implementation of this protected area.
To this end, it seeks to create a conservation corridor that promotes biodiversity and sustainable development in the area.
Who is Gilbert Butler, the driving force behind the island donation
Gilbert Butler is a businessman born in New York and educated at Harvard and Columbia universities.
After an extensive career in the financial sector, he created his own private equity firm in 1979.
However, he retired from business activity in the mid-2000s to fully dedicate himself to philanthropy.
A fan of kayaking and linked to conservation projects, Butler has already promoted similar initiatives on the Argentine side.
In Entre Ríos, Argentina, another three islands will be donated to the province for the creation of a future provincial natural park.
This action reinforces the cross-border vocation of the conservation project.
Therefore, the Intendencia de Río Negro held meetings with residents of Nuevo Berlín to inform them about the project’s progress.
Thus, these donations constitute a relevant precedent for future conservation initiatives based on alliances.
