How can storytelling save nature?

Key Concepts

• Leerosur: A media platform for stories about nature and the environment.
• Santiago Wild Film Festival: Founded in 2019, it created a network of Latin American storytellers and filmmakers focused on nature.
• Festival Laduras: Launched in 2022, this event brings together content creators, musicians, entrepreneurs, and the general public to connect with nature.
• Reconnecting People with Nature: The core mission of Martin Del Rio's work, aiming to foster a better society and a healthy planet by bridging the disconnect between urban dwellers and the natural world.
• Multidisciplinary Nature Community: The goal of building a diverse group of individuals passionate about nature, encompassing various fields and backgrounds.
• Wayfinder Award: Awarded by National Geographic to explorers redefining leadership in science, conservation, education, technology, and storytelling.
• Collaborative Approach: The emphasis on working together with diverse individuals and organizations to achieve greater impact in environmental advocacy.
• Storytelling for Climate Action: Utilizing narratives to educate and inspire action on climate change.

Reconnecting People with Nature: The Mission of Martin Del Rio

Martin Del Rio, founder of Leerosur, a media platform dedicated to nature and environmental stories, emphasizes the critical need to reconnect people with the natural world. He observes a growing disconnect, particularly in large cities like Santiago, where individuals are unaware of fundamental ecological processes such as water sources or the location of glaciers. Del Rio believes this disconnection is detrimental to both society and the planet, driving his mission to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature.

Origins and Early Influences

Del Rio's personal connection to nature began in his childhood in Chile, marked by frequent camping trips with his large family. These experiences, exploring diverse landscapes from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia, instilled in him a profound love for animals and the outdoors. He identifies as a "nature person" and believes that early exposure to nature is crucial for developing this connection.

The Genesis of Leerosur and the Santiago Wild Film Festival

With approximately ten years of experience in this field, Del Rio initially believed everyone loved nature. However, he soon realized this wasn't the case, prompting him to question why and solidify his commitment to bridging this gap. This led to the dream of building a strong, multidisciplinary nature community, initially in Chile and later expanding across Latin America.

A pivotal moment in this expansion was the Santiago Wild Film Festival, launched in 2019. This initiative aimed to create a network of Latin American storytellers and filmmakers focused on nature. The festival gained significant traction during the pandemic when it was accessible nationwide, reaching a broad audience confined to their homes. This success prompted requests from other Latin American countries to bring the festival to their cities, highlighting a regional gap in wildlife film festivals. Consequently, Del Rio began collaborating with communities in Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil, establishing the Santiago Wild Film Festival as the most important event of its kind in the region. The festival's objective is to empower filmmakers and amplify stories from the region, recognizing the abundant talent and dreams present.

Challenges and Funding

The primary challenge in establishing these initiatives has been securing funding. Del Rio has relied on partnerships with companies that share his vision for nature conservation, citing examples like Patagonia. He began with a dream and initially worked alone, but as the project grew, he sold a portion of the company to build a larger team. He stresses that building a dream is difficult but achievable through persistence.

Festival Laduras: Reaching the Masses

To broaden their reach beyond dedicated nature enthusiasts, Del Rio launched Festival Laduras in 2022. This three-day event in a park integrates music, culture, and content creation, attracting over 20,000 attendees. The festival's success lies in its ability to connect with "common people," as Del Rio believes his mission is to reach those who are not already converted nature lovers. The festival provides an opportunity for learning and sharing messages about nature through diverse cultural elements.

The Urgency of Climate Change and Storytelling Strategies

Del Rio acknowledges the increasing urgency of climate change, noting that Chile was projected to be significantly impacted. He recalls the planned COP25 climate summit in Chile in 2019, which was suspended due to social unrest. He observes that discussing climate change can be difficult as people may resist negative news or the idea of their lives changing.

To counter this resistance, Del Rio's projects strategically blend topics such as inspiration, beauty, and natural disasters. This approach makes environmental issues more accessible and relatable for the average person on a daily basis. He states, "if you only talk about climate change and the worst things that are going to happen the people don't want to know. It's a turnoff."

Content Curation and Community Building

In the initial years, Del Rio focused on identifying and collaborating with individuals deeply passionate about nature, such as photographers and scientists. He describes Leerosur as a community where people can feel a sense of belonging and family. He learned that working alone on nature-related topics is extremely difficult, emphasizing the need to create and be part of something larger. The core principle of Leerosur is collaboration, regardless of background or profession.

Speaking at National Geographic and Global Connections

Del Rio recently addressed a large audience of National Geographic explorers and founders in English, a challenging but rewarding experience. He felt he had become part of a new family, mirroring the sense of community he fostered in Chile. He observed that people passionate about nature share similar values globally.

His core message to this influential audience was the necessity of working together for impact. He reiterated that individual efforts to reconnect people with nature are difficult and stressed the importance of staying united, collaborating with global explorers, and providing tools for more people interested in these topics.

Future Dreams

Del Rio remains a dreamer with future aspirations. He aims to further develop the nature media platform in Chile and expand its work across Latin America, creating a robust nature media presence from the south to the north of the region, fostering collaboration with individuals across the continent.