The National Forest Corporation or CONAF is a Chilean private, non-profit organization, through which the Chilean state contributes to the development and sustainable management of the country's forest resources. CONAF is overseen and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile. It administers the forest policies of Chile and promotes the development of the sector with sustainable forest management. CONAF is also the governing body of all the national parks of Chile, including those without forests or major vegetation, such as Llullaillaco National Park and others in the Atacama Desert. , the CONAF mascot
History
CONAF was created on May 13, 1970 as the "Reforestation Corporation" or COREF. In 1972 it acquired its current powers, structure and name. In 1976 it adopted Forestín, a coypu, as its mascot. In 1984, under Chilean law Nº 18,348, a move was made to modify the private corporation status of CONAF and make it a government agency. In October 2012 the Chilean senate considered and rejected a proposal to convert CONAF's legal nature from that of a "private corporation" to that of a public agency. The rejected proposal would have created a National Forest Service . During the legislative proceedings, testimony was made that addressed the "anomalous" nature of a private corporation performing functions that should be performed by a wholly government agency or agencies. However, as of November 2014, such a status change has not taken place.
Mission and goals
CONAF's mission is to contribute to Chile's development through the sustainable use of forest ecosystems, the mitigation of the climate change, the promotion and enforcement of forestry and environmental laws, protect natural resources, and administrate the wildlife areas protected by the government for the generations to come. This includes:
Contribute to the development of sustainable forestry resources and their use in goods and services that prioritize their responsible use and mitigation of damage to the environment. Contribute to the country's economic, social and environmental development. Replant, recover and care for endemic forest species and trees in urban areas.
Protect the forest ecosystems from biotic and abiotic agents and harmful events such as: unlawful exploitation, blights and infestations, wildfires, desertification.
The efficient administration of the National System of Wild Areas Protected by the State, in order to maximise their environmental, social and economic potential.
Organization
Although CONAF is not technically a government agency, it has similar functions and attributes. It is a "corporación de derecho privado" which in Chile is means a non-profitjuridical person, and is wholly dependent of the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile.
Administration
It is headed by a Directive Council and administered by an Executive Director named by the Chilean president in office. There are also Regional Directors, overseen by the Executive Director. ;CONAF has three "Gerencias de áreas técnicas" or technical areas of management:
In charge of administrating the National Parks, National Reserves, and Natural Monuments. Responsible for preserving their biodiversity and public access. CONAF also has a legal department, a financial administration department, and a human resources and development department. ;Human resources: CONAF has more than 135 offices throughout Chile and more than 1,900 employees. 450 of them are highly qualified Park Rangers trained to help visitors. ;Material resources: CONAF's resources include Regional Offices, visitor centres and facilities, forest nurseries, wildfireobservation towers and bases, and all kind of vehicles to carry out its work in land, water or air.
