Restoring the Mapocho Riverbank, community’s efforts to reclaim nature

Journalist’s notes

interview subject

Ulises Mayol, 33, is the co-founder and lead coordinator of Frente de Río, an organization dedicated to the restoration and conservation of biodiversity along the Mapocho River in Talagante, Chile. Together with a team of committed collaborators, he has spearheaded initiatives to rejuvenate the river’s ecosystem and promote sustainable practices in the region. Learn more about the impactful work of Frente de Río here.

background information

For years, residents of Talagante passing by the iconic stretch of the Santiago to San Antonio railroad have witnessed riverbanks marred by garbage and debris. This pollution stems from illegal settlements and individuals dumping waste in the area. Since 2018, various initiatives have been undertaken to address this issue and restore the river as a space rich in biodiversity for the community to enjoy. Learn more about these efforts in this article.

TALAGANTE, CHILE — It began in 2018 as a small group of friends with a shared dream: to restore and protect the neglected banks of the Mapocho River in Talagante. Today, Frente de Río has grown into a dedicated team of 10 to 15 volunteers who are transforming the riverbank into a community haven while raising awareness about environmental restoration.

I now coordinate the Common Regenerative Fund project, supported by Fundación Lepe, which aims to consolidate a path along the riverbank—a venture that balances ecological preservation with community engagement.

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The river’s potential as a lifeline for the community

Today, pride radiates among my colleagues as we see these spaces transformed and reclaimed. Once small dumps—ugly, dirty, and forgotten—now thrive with lush vegetation. The trees we planted years ago, some now five years old, stand tall, forming a vibrant forest. Each tree embodies our dream of creating a natural park, inching closer to reality with every effort. This transformation fills us with joy and renewed determination, a tangible reward for our collective work.

The organization began with a simple yet powerful idea: to restore meaning to a neglected environment. Growing up in Talagante, I admired the river’s beauty but witnessed how neglect overshadowed its potential. Despite being designated as a Metropolitan Park and national asset, the river had turned into a no man’s land. Micro-dumps littered its banks with discarded sofas, construction debris, and washing machines. Illegal earthworks added to the destruction, with buried rubble destabilizing the terrain and worsening flood risks.

Near the Talagante railway bridge, an iconic landmark now surrounded by deforestation and waste, approximately 130 families had established informal homes. Their presence reflected the housing crisis but also complicated efforts to restore the river’s ecosystem. Despite these challenges, we saw the river as a vital lifeline for the community, brimming with untapped potential.

Frente de Río started by clearing micro-dumps and reforesting with native species. We invited the community to join us, turning a stigmatized, neglected stretch of river into a space of renewal. Slowly, families returned, rediscovering a connection to the natural beauty they had long avoided. This transformation marked not just an environmental restoration but a renewed bond between people and the river that sustains them.

Beyond the riverbank

Our trail winds along the riverbank, creating a space where families explore, children learn, and nature quietly heals. I watch schoolchildren wade through wetlands, their laughter blending with the rustling of leaves. Each workshop we hold with volunteers becomes a moment of connection, where hands work together to restore what neglect had stolen. What was once a forgotten stretch of land now thrives as a testament to resilience.

I vividly recall March 2023, the day we inaugurated the trail. The mayor stood alongside local residents, community leaders, and our team. I stood among them, heart pounding, as I watched the crowd gather. Seeing the municipality formally recognize our work felt like watching a dream unfold into reality. This was not just a path through the wilderness; it embodied collaboration, determination, and hope.

For me, this journey began as a leap into the unknown. As a pharmaceutical chemist, I understood science but knew little about environmental restoration or social organizing. Yet, working with Frente de Río transformed my perspective. I immersed myself in new fields—learning about ecology, community dynamics, and even navigating partnerships with municipal agencies.

Each challenge reshaped me. Recently, our team embraced project management, a skill I never imagined needing. Now, it feels essential to our success. These moments of growth mirror the trail itself, steadily evolving through dedication and effort.

The inauguration stands as more than a milestone; it reflects every small step, every moment of doubt we overcame. That day, the trail became more than a project. It became proof of what can grow when a community comes together with purpose.

Community collaboration continues as the cornerstone of our vision

The journey remains demanding, requiring constant effort to mobilize volunteers. Some join for a single reforestation day, while others commit to workshops and ongoing maintenance. Progress depends on collective action, transforming the river into more than a revitalized landscape—it has become a community reborn.

Winning the Common Regenerative Fund this year marked a turning point. The financial resources and technical support provided enabled us to professionalize our work. We transitioned from basic tools to machinery, significantly scaling our impact and making long-term restoration achievable.

Community collaboration continues as the cornerstone of our vision. While we focus on a naturalistic park, others propose playgrounds, bicycle paths, or additional lighting. Striking a balance between ecological preservation and recreational use demands continuous dialogue. Our dream remains creating a shared space that harmonizes with nature and serves diverse community needs.

Challenges persist, particularly near the adjacent Toma. Integrating its residents into our efforts remains a priority, but addressing informal settlements in flood-prone areas requires more institutional involvement. Public agencies must take a more active role in resolving these issues comprehensively.

Recently, neighbors near a sports club field adjacent to the trail began fencing off areas beyond their lease agreement, including spaces where we conducted reforestation. Their actions created tension, as they aim to expand the field, while we strive to preserve the area as a metropolitan park with free access and dedicated restoration zones.

Although we have not faced physical threats, some individuals have shown hostility. Fortunately, we hold the proper permits, and the municipality supports our efforts. Together, we remain committed to protecting the trail and advancing our shared vision of environmental restoration.

Walking the trail today, I feel pride

Our immediate focus centers on halting the unauthorized fencing and ensuring its removal. The coming weeks will shape the outcome, but we remain resolute in protecting this space for both the community and the environment.

The Mapocho River reflects a larger national issue. Peripheral communes like Talagante possess immense potential for ecological restoration yet receive far less attention than urban areas. Decades of neglect have turned these spaces into environmental liabilities, but they also hold the promise of recovery for those who step forward to act.

Change has come through civil society. Waiting for government intervention would have meant inaction. By organizing and taking concrete steps, we have demonstrated what is possible. Collaborative efforts with groups like Mapuko, Verde Nativo, and projects such as Bosque de Bolsillo showcase the transformative power of collective action.

Walking the trail today, I feel pride. Lush trees now stand where debris once polluted the riverbank. Families and schoolchildren wander these paths, reclaiming what had long been neglected. Yet challenges persist—littering, illegal activities, and the constant threat of further harm remind us this journey is far from over.

As climate change accelerates and desertification threatens the central zone, uncertainty looms. But uncertainty demands action. Our vision reaches beyond this trail. We aim to connect the entire province, fostering a union between people and nature. Together, we can secure a future for the Mapocho River, preserving it as a vital resource for generations to come.