CSS Argentina - Fundación Temaikèn

Based in Argentina, this Center is an alliance between the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Fundación Temaikèn. Its mission is to strengthen biodiversity conservation strategies in Argentina and Latin America, doing so by connecting key actors to strengthen local and regional capacity and promoting evaluation, planning and implementation of conservation actions in the region. The CSS Argentina (CSS-ARG) operates from the Fundación Temaikèn facilities in Escobar, province of Buenos Aires.

Argentina is one of the countries with the largest number of ecoregions in the world, which are home to a great diversity of species. One of the main objectives of the CSS-ARG is to identify species conservation priorities in Argentina and Latin America through the use of consistent and globally recognised tools. It seeks to establish a centralised species survival team based at Fundación Temaikèn that works in partnership with the SSC networks and in collaboration with national and regional stakeholders such as government agencies, IUCN national and regional committees, conservation NGOs and universities.
CSS-ARG combines experience, resources and programs to enhance the actions of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It generates more capacity to assess - plan - act for species survival. The CSS-ARG focuses mainly on 3 lines of action:
1. Education and Training: The CSS ARG also seeks to be able to be a reference for these methodologies for other actors in the region, facilitating training and advice on the subject. It seeks to generate spaces for interaction with government agencies and other actors that are participants in these flagship projects and endangered species so that they can be inserted into this methodology.
2. Identification and selection of flagship species to implement methodologies and monitor projects.
* Pilot species:
--- Yellow Cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata)
--- Endemic Flora of Teyú Cuaré Cerrado
3. Ex-situ conservation
* Plan to position the ex situ conservation strategy according to the IUCN guidelines 2021-2025. 
--- Identify what are the ex-situ actions that are being carried out in the species.
--- Socialize the degree of progress of the ex-situ component of conservation projects with species of importance to the region.
--- Promote a space for technical construction to identify needs and future ex situ actions for these species.
--- Contribute to the integrated conservation approach.
* Promote intersectoral and multidisciplinary participation meetings with government agencies and other civil society organizations.

Supporting the Species Conservation

1

We work with the yellow cardinal, one of the most trafficked species in the world. The yellow cardinal is a species globally categorized as "Endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The objective of this programme is to mitigate the impact of illegal trafficking on the species and to recover the health and behaviour of confiscated animals for their subsequent reintegration into the wild.

2

Only approximately 200 hectares of the Cerrado biome have been identified in Argentina and are present as a relictual in the province of Misiones. In the town of San Ignacio at least 8 endemic plant species with populations of as many as only 18 individuals have been registered. The critical state of its populations makes it extremely necessary to face in-situ and ex-situ projects.

This provides a great opportunity to preserve this unique ecosystem, connecting it to a biological corridor and to conservation programs which are currently underway and which have begun to tackle threats such as the presence of exotic grass, waste dumps and motorcycle circuits in the surrounding areas.

Meet our team

Paula Gonzalez Ciccia
Paula Gonzalez Ciccia

Director. Paula is a biologist with experience in managing integrated conservation projects based on intersectoral and inter-jurisdictional articulation and cooperative management of species. She has held technical and management positions both in NGOs and government agencies at the provincial and national levels. She coordinated various interdisciplinary and led collaborative space conservation actions and community strategies in different provinces of the national territory. Currently serves as Director of conservation, education and research in Fundación Temaikén and the Species Survival Center is part of the initiatives.

Director. Paula is a biologist with experience in managing integrated conservation projects based on intersectoral and inter-jurisdictional articulation and cooperative management of species. She has ...

Pablo Dovico
Pablo Dovico

Species Survival Officer. Pablo is a Biodiversity Conservation Technician, working on the conservation of the Buenos Aires Delta Wetlands. Creating and managing new protected areas, working with the community and implementing conservation actions in the species of flora and fauna associated with this ecosystem.

Pablo is also a member of the Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) scientific and technical committee. In which interdisciplinary work is done to conserve this emblematic species of the Parana Delta River.

Species Survival Officer. Pablo is a Biodiversity Conservation Technician, working on the conservation of the Buenos Aires Delta Wetlands. Creating and managing new protected areas, working with the ...

CSS Annual Reports

Learn about the CSS's work and results.