Foundation · Chile and South America

Research and support for biodiversity conservation

The Conservation Law Center builds links between public conservation, private conservation and the efforts of diverse social bodies. In 2003 it proposed the conservation right, today Law No. 20.930.

See projects and cases Request advice

2003Original proposal of the conservation right

2016Enactment of Law No. 20.930

500,000+ haExperience in conservation projects in Chile

30,000+ haUnder recent conservation rights

The Center

A new legal institution, well understood and well implemented

In 2003 our Center proposed a new institution, with no precedent in comparative law: the conservation right. Its Executive Director, Dr. Jaime Ubilla, drafted the final articles of Law No. 20.930 through amendments submitted to the Chilean Senate committees (2014, 2015 and 2016).

One of our aims is to promote a correct understanding of this institution, avoiding implementations that contradict its theoretical and practical foundations, and assimilations to institutions of a different nature in comparative law.

The conservation right is an affirmative and reflexive property right, in contrast to traditional restrictions or easements.

What is the conservation right? →

Riders in front of the Torres del Paine — Cerro Paine Reserve and NGO AMA, Torres del Paine.

What we do

Academic research and advice to public and private entities

Research

Legal philosophy and theory, social and political theory, private and public law, global environmental law and conservation standards.

Research lines → 02

Legal consulting

We have advised The Nature Conservancy, WWF, Chile's environmental authority, CONAF and many foundations and conservation organisations.

See consulting → 03

Audit & CR Compliance Seal

External, independent verification of compliance with Law No. 20.930, with no need for custodians or guarantors.

See audit → 04

Documents

Texts, legislative history and publications on the conservation right.

See documents →

Projects and cases

Conservation rights across Chile, from Antofagasta to Magallanes

Cases completed or under way by the Center and its partners.

Rider facing fjords and snow-capped peaks, La Península

In progressNatales · Magallanes RegionLa Península Conservation Project18,776 ha of fjords, temperate rainforests, peatlands and the Monumento Moore mountain range.

Patagonian steppe in the Sierra Baguales

In progressSierra Baguales · Magallanes RegionBaguales Conservation Project4,124 ha of Patagonian steppe, neighbouring La Península.

Aerial view of the coastal forest at Raulintal

La Unión · Los Ríos RegionRaulintal Protected Area Nature ReserveOver 2,000 ha in the Coastal Range, next to Alerce Costero National Park.

Coquimbo RegionEl Tangue Protected Area

Cajón del Maipo · Metropolitan RegionEl Almendro Protected Area

Coyhaique · Aysén RegionPatagonia Río Cisnes EcoVillage

See all projects and cases →

Enactment of Law No. 20.930, Valdivia, 10 June 2016

Featured · 10 June 2016

Law No. 20.930 establishing the conservation right is enacted

A new paradigm, an innovation in 2,500 years of legal tradition: it allows ecological intangibles to be defined and managed as an affirmative and reflexive property right.

Our director, Dr. Jaime Ubilla —original proposer (2003) and drafter of the final articles, through amendments in the Senate, that shaped Law No. 20.930—, with President Michelle Bachelet on the day of the enactment, in Valdivia.

Legal team

Directors and team

Jaime Ubilla

Director

Lawyer, legislative adviser and law professor, focused on legal sociology, property rights and biodiversity law. Member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.

View profile →