Photo above: The Patagonia Spring 2026 student group. Photo by G. Kayano.
by Claudia Scognamillo, Patagonia Program Director
The program is off to a strong start, with a motivated and collaborative group of students and an experienced instructional team that blends returning staff with new additions. We are excited to welcome Alonso Vigil, a Peruvian biologist specializing in dryland ecology; McKenzie Dale, an outstanding environmental educator and expedition leader; and to celebrate the return of program alum Johnny Staver, who brings extensive experience in geology and joins us as an assistant leader.
We began the semester enjoying the Patagonian summer warmth in Coyhaique and Cochrane, taking our first backpacking trip at the base of the San Lorenzo Glacier, joined by Student Programs Associate Director Gabriel Kayano. Students also supported the local community of Cochrane, spending a day snorkeling in the Cochrane River to assist our partner, Descubriendo Cochrane, in their river clean-up efforts.
After settling into field-based life and building teamwork skills, we traveled to the Jeinimeni sector of Patagonia National Park, where we conducted research following several families of Magellanic woodpeckers. Camping near their nesting trees and tracking individuals over several days, students collected observations on home range and behavior.
We also conducted steppe biodiversity surveys in collaboration with our new partner, Raíces de Calafate, working alongside the community of Chile Chico. The students later explored the fjords and town of Caleta Tortel, learning about periglacial ecosystems and the intricate “miniature forests” of mosses and lichens.
Most recently, students returned from their homestay experience, where they spent a week living with local families, participating in and learning from rural Patagonian life. Now, the team is tackling fieldwork for our longest-running projects: the monitoring of guanaco and ñandú populations, backed by more than a decade of data.
As we move into the final stretch of the semester and temperatures begin to drop, we’re excited for this group of students to bring the program to a strong close as they prepare to present their final projects to our partners.
Learn more about our
Work in Chile
&
Patagonia Student Program