Tag Archive for: La Rioja

The magic of Cerro El Toro: an archaeological paradise rediscovered along its trails

Among the Famatina Mountains in La Rioja stands Cerro El Toro, a mountainous formation named for its resemblance to a charging bull.  Its dark purple color and imposing presence catch the attention of those who arrive in Villa Castelli, but what makes it unique goes far beyond its landscape: here, the vestiges of an ancient civilization coexist with the biodiversity of an exceptional natural environment, protected under the Cerro El Toro Cultural Nature Reserve.

Today, thanks to a plan to refurbish and revalue traditional trails promoted by the Municipality of General Lamadrid, this site is reopening to the world with renewed vigor. The municipality made the decision and invested in the enhancement, and later Natura Argentina and the Undersecretary of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Province of La Rioja joined in to work on the recovery of the trails. This collective initiative also included the participation of the local community and specialists in archaeology and conservation.

Due to its invaluable cultural legacy, it was declared a Provincial Historic Monument in 1985 under Law No. 4565. Likewise, due to its outstanding biodiversity, it also obtained the distinction of Provincial Natural Monument. In 2008, the municipal ordinance passed declares this entire area as the Cerro El Toro Cultural Nature Reserve. In addition, the Reserve is governed by National Law No. 25,743 on the Protection of Archaeological and Paleontological Heritage, and Provincial Law No. 6,589 on the Regulation and Control of Archaeological, Urban Archaeological, Paleontological, Anthropological, and Historical Cultural Heritage in the Province of La Rioja. Its dark purple color and imposing presence catch the attention of those who arrive in Villa Castelli, but what makes it unique goes far beyond its landscape: here, the vestiges of an ancient civilization coexist with the biodiversity of an exceptional natural environment, protected under the Cerro El Toro Cultural Nature Reserve. /Enzo Ellero

Renovate to preserve and discover

The project began with a need: heavy rains were causing soil loss on every slope, putting traffic and the conservation of the site at risk. The work was meticulous: stones were rearranged, edges were reinforced, and techniques that respect the landscape as much as possible were applied.

It is located 6 km from the town of Villa Castelli, at kilometer 154 of National Route No. 76, on the eastern slopes of the Sierras de Famatina. It is 34 km from Villa Unión and 35 km from Vinchina. The route is in excellent condition and, upon entering the Reserve, the road is gravel and accessible by vehicle. /Enzo Ellero

Andrés Baissero is a technician at Natura Argentina and explains part of this process while pointing out elements of the landscape: time was spent analyzing what had been done in this place, how people in the area use it, and what could be improved from a sustainable tourism perspective. “Everything was done in multidisciplinary teams. Previous archaeological studies were respected, but a new and collaborative narrative was developed, which was constructed together with Proyecto Ambiental, specialists in the field. All the local guides also participated,” he summarizes.

Rocío Cardona is also a technician on this Natura Argentina project. The technical team not only contributed their knowledge, but also actively participated in the work journeys, which were joined by municipal and provincial workers and student volunteers. They enthusiastically tell us that they even worked in the rain and snow. The result is low-impact trails that respect the original layout from an archaeological perspective, but with corrections to prevent erosion from rain, among other details.

“We moved material from other areas and then built the trails. Now the intervention seems minimal, almost imperceptible,” explains Rocío, pointing to the little path that climbs the mountain.

The process was supported by previous archaeological studies, which served as the basis for defining each intervention. In addition, two interpretive trails were designed, with the script developed in collaboration with the Environmental School and local guides. /Natura Argentina

 

This does not mean that the trails do not require maintenance, nor that they do not involve the deployment of local resources to ensure an interesting experience for visitors. In fact, the process also included training technicians in trail refurbishment, leaving the community with the capacity to sustain this work over time. Damián, the guide accompanying us today, shows us the route and concludes: “Working together in this place has been wonderful. This site is unique in the country and can be visited in our department.” The refurbishment not only improved the trail’s accessibility, but also restored its ancestral character: a path that links the past and the present.

Damián, local guide: “Visitors will find here the history of the Aguada culture, remnants of their homes, their enclosures, the rock art they left us to understand their worldview and the importance of this place.” /Natura Argentina

 

A landscape that preserves culture and wildlife

Cerro El Toro is much more than just a natural setting. Between 770 and 1400 AD, populations linked to Argentino lived here, identified by the “Aguada” ceramic style, which occupied different territories in northwestern Argentina. Their mark is still recognizable in the stone dwellings, the architecture that blends in with the hill, and the petroglyphs of jaguars and human figures.

Aguada rock art consisted of figures and drawings carved into stone using the technique of chipping and scraping. Among the petroglyphs with anthropomorphic motifs (representations of humans and animals), three figures can be seen wearing an unku (a fine woven Andean tunic) with jaguar spots. These rock art manifestations were part of the ritual and religious belief system of the groups or individuals who lived there, shared by most societies in the Valliserrana region.

The Reserve also boasts extraordinary natural wealth: from the Andean Condor to the Famatina Tail-less Lizard, a microendemic species exclusive to the region.

Walking along these trails is like immersing yourself in the daily life of those who inhabited these mountains: seeing the homes that sheltered families, discovering the ancestral engravings that were part of rituals, and appreciating the mountain range from a unique perspective. Damián left us here for a moment, asking us to pause, and in that shared silence, we were able to understand the beauty of the place. You have to come here, treat yourself to a break in front of the mountain range, and experience it.

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How to visit

Cerro El Toro is a Provincial Historical and Natural Monument, and can be visited with a certified local guide. Guided tours can be requested at the General Lamadrid Municipal Tourism Office.

Here, among hills that resemble mythological animals, petroglyphs that tell stories, and landscapes that transform with every ray of sunlight, visitors discover that the true magic of this place lies not only in what can be seen, but also in what has been preserved thanks to collective effort.

This Natural and Cultural Reserve has a visitor center equipped with services such as accessible bathrooms, internet, hot water, tourist information, and a cultural market that today gives visibility to local crafts with product sales and a recreation area.

What can you do?

  • Trekking and hiking
  • Archaeological site
  • Flora observation
  • Wildlife observation
  • Panoramic views

Open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Rates: Admission prices can be consulted by calling: 3804 865393 / 3825 573602 / 3804 864800. According to municipal ordinance No. 178/21, visitors must be accompanied by a tour guide to enter this archaeological heritage site. To reserve a guided tour, please call the tourist information office.

 

by Natura Argentina Team

Key Species Conservation Program in the Famatina Mountains

An agreement to protect local biodiversity.

 

In March 2025, we concluded a new stage of research on the fauna of the Sierras de Famatina. This conservation program is based on an inter-institutional agreement to accompany students and scientists in the study of key species in the region. We focus on four lines of research centered on emblematic and priority animals of the sierras, in a joint work between the National University of La Rioja (UNLaR), the Andean Cat Alliance (AGA), Natura Argentina and Soledad de Bustos, a taruca researcher from the NOA delegation of the National Parks Administration (APN).

 

 

We worked with the taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis), one of the most emblematic species of the area. Other species chosen were the puma (Puma concolor), the Andean cat(Leopardus jacobita), the wild cat(Leopardus geoffroyi) and the pajonal cat (Leopardus colocolo). Credit: Mathis Jacob Dunner.

 

We conducted three camera trap installation and removal campaigns, and took indirect samples through transects. We complemented this work with three campaigns of interviews with local people, which gave us valuable insights into the relationship between communities and wildlife.

 

Mina Delina, a natural setting and key to conservation

Most of these campaigns took place in Mina Delina, within the General Felipe Varela Department. There, we sought to know the distribution and diversity of threatened medium and large mammals, with special focus on recording their presence and threats.

The fourth and last campaign of this first stage was carried out in Mina Delina, located in the Department of General Felipe Varela, with the objective of learning about the distribution and diversity of threatened medium and large mammals in the region. A landscape where nature and human activity have historically coexisted opens the way to remote corners where wildlife still lives in peace. Credit: Natura Argentina.

During the campaigns, more than 20 camera traps installed since September 2024 were removed. These captured more than 300,000 images, a great source of information that allows us to tell a detailed story of the local fauna and its dynamics.

 

Science, local knowledge and collective construction

The lines of research included interviews in local communities to add to the field surveys popular knowledge of distribution, cultural perceptions and possible conflicts between human activities and wildlife. These conversations are fundamental for designing strategies that not only protect species, but also integrate people and their knowledge into conservation processes. Many times, these interviews provide information that the research teams cannot gather with the proposed methodology. In this way, we incorporated an action-research approach that enriches our work and allows access to knowledge that often escapes traditional methodologies.

The research included interviews with local communities in order to learn about their perceptions of the fauna and its relationship with the environment.

Another contribution was the situational models for key species, elaborated using the methodology proposed by the Open Standards for Conservation, which allowed us to identify a ranking of specific threats. From there, we can design strategies to effectively address them. This work was part of the basis for the master’s thesis of Sofía Antonena, a Natura Argentina collaborator, who explored conservation values and threats in the Sierras with the guidance of the team and input from local stakeholders.

 

Towards community-based conservation

The data and knowledge obtained are an opportunity to develop a more inclusive conservation approach that actively involves communities in the protection of their environment and strengthens a positive link with nature. Among the species recorded during the campaigns were not only large priority mammals, but also charming species such as mountain vizcachas, foxes, skunks and a wide variety of birds.

During the campaign, more than 20 camera traps, installed in September 2024, were removed and captured more than 300,000 photos, providing valuable information about the local fauna.

These conversations provide key information on local knowledge, the cultural and ecological value of species, and potential conflicts or tensions between human activities and wildlife. This is only the beginning. The Famatina Sierras hold secrets that only time, teamwork and respect for the mountain will reveal.

 

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by Natura Argentina Team

Lucila Castro: science, leadership, and commitment to conservation

Since its creation, Natura Argentina has worked to protect ecosystems through protected areas and work with local communities. Its president is a biologist, researcher and conservation leader, and has dedicated her career to protecting nature from the ground up. In this interview, Lucila Castro reviews her career, the challenges of conservation in the country and the key role of local communities in protecting the environment.

 

How did the idea of founding Natura Argentina come about and what were the first steps to make it happen?

More than ten years ago I was working for an NGO called Pacific Biodiversity Institute, dedicated to conservation and research. I met many people, both nationally and internationally, who were working in conservation. We decided, among a group of friends, to found an NGO dedicated to the protection of our territory through a key tool: protected areas.I formed a team of professionals, initially focused on biology, and then we expanded it to other areas, understanding the complexity of the conservation field. This is how we became what we are today: a consolidated group of professionals from different disciplines, focused on science, conservation, finance, politics and socio-environmental aspects.

What do you think was the organization’s greatest achievement so far?

I could mention two achievements. The first has to do with Natura Argentina itself: the fact that it exists in the center of the country, consolidated and constantly improving, is an enormous achievement. The foundation has managed to address complex conservation issues with an interdisciplinary approach and a highly qualified team.The second achievement is the creation of the Ansenuza National Park. For me, being from Miramar, it was a great responsibility to work on such a project. I went through it from several angles: as a local, looking for the best for this territory; as a professional, since I studied the flamingos of Mar Chiquita; and as a representative of one of the institutions that helped create the park. We still have the implementation stage, but to know that, after more than seven years of work, the park is a reality is a source of pride.

Born in Rosario (Santa Fe, Argentina), Lucila Castro lived most of her life in Miramar de Ansenuza. From there, she became a driving force behind the creation of Ansenuza National Park.

Why do you choose to work with people living in the territories?

Working with local communities is the basis for everything that follows: conservation strategies, fundraising, team building. It was not a decision planned from the beginning, but we built it as we understood that all conservation decisions have an impact on people’s lives. What began as an incipient idea is now an institutional policy: the final decisions must come from those who live in the territories. Furthermore, strong changes in conservation must come from a mobilized society. We can propose ideas, but they must be built together with the communities.

How was your training in the field of conservation?

I am a biologist, graduated from the National University of Córdoba. I am proud to have been educated at a public university that gave me so much and marked my career. I was always in search of new experiences: in college I got involved in all the professorships in which I could help, I collaborated in the museum of my town and I started working in conservation from an academic approach. I had the opportunity to study abroad, doing internships at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, doing research on the jaguar. Then I worked at the International Society for Salt Lake Studies, which gave me a global view on conservation. All this allowed me to understand the importance of articulating science and management to implement conservation policies.

She is part of the High Andean Flamingo Conservation Group and the IUCN Connectivity and Conservation Specialist Groups, promoting scientific and community articulation in the protection of key ecosystems.

How was the selection process for the international scholarships you won?

I applied for and was selected for two international fellowships. The first one was for the training of conservation leaders worldwide, Kinship Conmservation Fellows. Hundreds of people applied and only 18 were selected from 13 countries. It was a month of intensive training, sharing with other young conservation leaders.

The second fellowship was the Boundless Fellowship, focused on conservation leaders in the Americas.

You were selected to be part of the board of the World Land Trust. What are your expectations for this position?

Yes, this year I was also selected to be part of the board of the World Land Trust, one of the most important NGOs worldwide. It is the first time that someone young, female and Latina participates in the decision making process of this organization. I think I will be able to learn a lot, and bring some of the change that the conservation world needs.

What is the biggest learning you could share with those who want to go into conservation?

After having traveled a lot and having listened to professionals from all over the world, I think I can say that conservation must be done with and from local communities. They are the ones who live in the territories and will benefit from the protected areas. Our academic perspective is valuable, but it must be articulated with traditional knowledge in order to generate effective public policies.

As a member of the World Land Trust Board, Lucila Castro brings her experience in conservation and protected areas to promote protection strategies at the international level. She is the first South American to be part of this decision-making space.

Environmentalism can be a difficult field, it seems like a constant struggle. How do you do, how do we do, to keep working and not let ourselves be defeated by pessimism?

The world of conservation, the race we are in, I don’t know about pessimism, but it’s tough. Every day there is a new battle. But it nurses me to work with passionate professionals, who challenge you to change your approach, to think differently, the environment I surround myself with keeps me inspired. And it also serves me well to celebrate the small accomplishments, that’s important too: from a workshop that goes well to an animal sighting in a camera trap or something big like the creation of a national park. We need to continue building these support networks to address the most important issues together. Those networks are the ones that make you want to continue. Finally, when we see that something worked, it’s all worth it.

A specialist in population ecology and conservation, she has participated in research and lectures on wetlands in countries such as China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico and the United States.

What can Natura Argentina contribute to the country’s environmental crisis?

For some years now, I have been asking myself all the time why we are the way we are and where we are going, not only as a country, but also as humanity. One thing I see is that there is a complete dissociation between our daily life, our society, and nature. We cannot see ourselves as part of a whole and that we are what we are because of nature: the air we breathe, the water we drink, what we eat. On a day-to-day basis we forget about our connection to nature, we take it for granted, and that disconnect grows bigger and bigger. Thus, we end up seeing environmentalists on one side and society on the other. I believe that until we heal that primary relationship with nature, we will not be able to achieve great changes, not only in the environment, but at all levels.

Protected areas, the tool we have chosen to do conservation, seek precisely that: to unite conservation, dialogue in the territory and sustainable production, and remind us that we are part of a whole. But until we resolve this disconnection as humanity, we will not be able to get very far. At Natura Argentina we propose protected areas as a small step towards this goal. We still have a long way to go. Argentina faces many environmental problems: deforestation, pollution, unregulated tourism. Natura Argentina chose protected areas as a tool to organize the territory and promote sustainable productive activities. The creation of protected areas, for example, in one of the NGO’s projects in Catamarca, helps us mainly to conserve the forests of these mountains, and with them all the species. Now we are working on its implementation so that the communities can live off these territories, not only because they breathe clean air and have clean water, but also because they can promote the sale of regional products and develop their activities. We see how they proudly show us everything they have, everything they can achieve with coordinated actions. It is essential to work together, from the local, provincial and national levels, looking at the country as a whole, but without forgetting the importance of the decisions made at the local level, which have a direct impact on people’s lives.

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by Natura Argentina Team