Great things in life are voluntary

written by Francisco Cáceres

Legacy Fund Volunteer 2022, Philosopher and Psychology student

“If we want to become activists ourselves, we must start with something. No big ideas or radical changes are needed to get started. All you must do is look for that concrete thing that is significant to you and enjoy the path of discovery that follows..”

Fotografía: Francisco Cáceres

"Close your eyes and strain your ears and, from the slightest sound to the most violent noise, from the simplest tone to the highest harmony, from the most violent and passionate cry to the sweetest word of reason, it is the Nature that speaks, that reveals its existence, its strength, its life and its relationships, to the point that a blind man who is denied the infinitely visible world can capture the infinite vitality through what he hears.” (Goeth)

I just landed in Puerto Natales after nearly four hours of travel. I go down the stairs of the plane and the Magallanic wind blows strongly and pushes me as I walk. I am here for the first time to participate as a volunteer with the Legacy Fund in Torres del Paine National Park on conservation and species monitoring tasks.

It is said that great things in life are voluntary, and that will is played in those desires that give meaning to our lives and that push us to be in places that we feel need us, as much as we need them. Motivated by this, I write these lines to share my experience and to encourage those who want to approach the world through activism and conservation, but do not know how to do it.

Fotografía: Aintzane Cariñanos

During the days of volunteering, we had the opportunity to stay in a territory not as tourists obsessed with selfies, but as young people seeking to bond and service nature. Out of respect for the environment and in pursuit of conservation, we strayed far from city life and were gave nature the best version of ourselves. We were able to understand and monitor the reforestation process after fires ravaged the park, install trap cameras to collect research material, remove fences to facilitate the free movement of fauna, and control invasive species of flora that take away space from native species. These days gave us the opportunity to share our life stories, enjoy beautiful sunsets without haste, observe the behavior of animals, and learn to listen and read the signs of nature. At the same time, we were able to witness the few resources that the State invests in conservation, see the great effort made by the people who work in the park, and learn about the challenges that arise when conserving a territory so unique to the world.

Fotografía: Josefa Zapata

I am convinced that the way we relate to nature is a true reflection of the way we relate to others, and vice versa. I believe that if we can honestly bond with natural environments and ecosystems that we surround ourselves with and get to know & love them, then we will be able to defend and conserve them. You cannot love what you do not know or defend what you do not love. Knowing how ecosystems work and the life that is given to us through them, simplifies our protection of them. This signifies the importance of relating to each other through respect and listening, realizing that we do not own anything and that we are only passing through.

It would be interesting to ask ourselves, what concrete actions can we take to protect and conserve the natural ecosystems that surround us? Each of us should ask ourselves that question and in seeking the answer, we may discover some insights and feelings to drive us there.

If we want to become activists ourselves, we must start with something. No big ideas or radical changes are needed to get started. All you must do is look for that concrete thing that is significant to you and enjoy the path of discovery that follows. Listening to other voices that fight for conservation, then sharing and learning from their experiences is essential.

Volunteering ends but not the desire to contribute to natural conservation. Gone are my days of contact with the flora and fauna of Torres del Paine National Park. From the plane back to Santiago, I observe the Patagonian lakes, glaciers, rivers, mountains, and steppes that allow me to connect with this unique place in the world. I am grateful to the entire team at Legacy Fund and Conaf for making this experience possible and for carrying forward the flag of conservation in many other local projects that support communities. I hope to continue to be associated with this territory, because at the end of the day, the great things in life are voluntary.