THE SOUTHERN COASTAL PARK

Biosphere Reserve
Punta Indio.
In 1937 the preservation of the existing groves of hackberry trees in the Partidos of Magdalena, Castelli, Dolores, Conesa and Madariaga, was ordered, thus creating the foundation for the reserve. In 1984, the Centre for the Study and Preservation of the Environment, the "CEPA" Foundation proposed the creation of a park with the character of an "open reserve", in accord with the MAB (Man and Biosphere Programme) of the UNESCO, which supports it.

The area was accepted as World Reserve of Natural and Cultural Biosphere in 1984. At present the project is in the hands of the Magdalena Municipality, the La Plata National University and the CEPA Foundation.

Its extension along the waterfront is 70 kms (approximately 43.5 miles) with an average width of 5 kms (approximately 3 miles). It is typified by a diversity of landscapes and natural habitats, the result of the confluence of two different systems represented by the Rio de la Plata River and the Pampas plain: it goes from the beaches with fine yellow sand to the banks of murex and the swamps and marshlands.

MARGINAL FOREST OF PUNTA LARA

Integral Reserve
Partido Ensenada

This reserve is to be found 18 kms (approximately 11 miles) from the city of La Plata, next to the riverbank. It is the southernmost example of the so called "selvas en galera" (corridor forests) that border the Paran and Uruguay Rivers, with a subtropical vegetation similar to that of southern Brazil and in most of the Argentinean Province of Misiones, and very different than that of the surrounding vegetation.

It has all the subtropical forest characteristics: little light and enormous trees that keep the air and forest floor humid, favoring the development of lower story plants. The Las Caas brook flows through the area. There are numerous arthropods, amphibians, some mammals, and a great diversity of bird life. A Visitors Centre organizes different guided tours.

THE NORTHERN RIVERBANK ECOLOGICAL RESERVATION AREA "RIBERA NORTE"

Natural Reserve
Partido Vicente Lpez
It was recognized as a natural haven in 1983, through an agreement between the "Vida Silvestre" (Wildlife) Foundation and the Municipality of San Silvestre. It is a coastal flood zone. It has a big central lake that links with the Ro de la Plata River. There are many willows, ceibas, "sarandes", cattails, reeds, "rosa china" (Chinese rose) and some small orchids. Many birds inhabit the area: Argentinean ducks, Anis, "Bruja" (witch) herons, Turkish doves, Woodpigeons, Green Hummingbirds, etc. Mammals we can mention the "cuis" and the coypus. The river is e4xtremely intoxicated and there is a lot of poaching.

THE DR. C. SPEGAZZINI MYCOLOGIC RESERVE

Mycological and Botanical Reserve.
Partido Lomas de Zamora
It covers the Santa Catalina wood. The area is the property of the La Plata National University. 60 has of forest are found within the area, and the old nucleus is the remnant corresponding to the poplars that were planted here by pioneers of the first agricultural colony that settled here. The particular conditions reigning in the forest and its virtual isolation has permitted a unique and varied fungus flora to develop.

THE PEREYRA IRAOLA NATIONAL PARK

Partido Berazategui
It covers an area of approximately 11,000 has (approximately 24,200 acres.) and is divided into three parts: Santa Rosa, San Juan of the Lowlands and San Juan of the Highlands. Santa Rosa is an area, which uses previously existing installations to promote tourist and recreational activities. Here you will find what used to be the old Santa Rosa Estancia Ranch house, which today harbors the Latin-American School of Informatics. It also has spaces for horticultural plots, a tree botanical garden, an experimental plant nursery, a wildlife breeding station (ECAS) and a biological station specialized in wild birds. (EBAS).

San Juan of the Lowlands is found between the General Roca Railroad lines at Quilmes and the corridor forests of Ro de la Plata River. There are many trees such as eucalyptus, local "araucaria", oaks, acacias, pines, etc. Regarding wildlife we can list some endemic birds i.e. baker birds (Furnarius rufus), the "Benteveo" (comeIseeyou), "Pirincho", Woodpigeons, "Cifln", Calanders.

On the other hand, San Juan of the Highlands is placed between the General Roca Railroad line at Quilmes and the rail lines at Tamperley and the Parque Centenario Road. Here you can find hundred years old tree groves and gray, open desolate looking spaces.

THE ELSA SHAW DE PEARSON FOUNDATION

Private Natural Reserve
Partido Magdalena
It is a rolling lowlands zone, along the river and banks of Murex. Small islands of hackberry trees and local "Coronillos" grow here. The rest of the area is covered by grassy pastures. With respect to wildlife there are more than 13 species of amphibians, numerous reptiles, some mammals and more than 100 types of birds.

THE E. TORQUINST NATIONAL PARK AND THE LA BLANQUEADA INTEGRAL RESERVE.

Partido Torquinst
It is located in the mountains of Sierra de la Ventana (the Window Range). It occupies 6,718 hectares (almost 14,800 acres) and was formed through purchases and donation to its owner: Martn Torquinst. Of this area only 583 hectares (approximately 1,282 acres) have been made an Integral Reserve: the ones located at the place called La Blanqueada. The area is crisscrossed by valleys that give birth to brooks like the Sauce Grande (Big Willow) and the Sauce Corto (Short Willow), and smaller rivulets: the Loro (Parrot) and Ventana (Window). The Window mountain peak (1134 m altitude,approximately 3450 ft) with its unique hole has been made a National Monument.

The grazing fields that are found between the mountains are rolling surrounding plains heavily modified to attend the needs of cattle breeding and forestry activities. Those areas that have been spared are made out of "vizcacha" straw grazing land with its typical wildlife: ground birds, birds of prey and carrion eaters, just to mention a few, foxes, armadillos and vizcachas.

These mountain pastures are seen on the softly rolling, isolated, northern looking slopes: One can find "Flechillas", grasses, herbs and shrub land. The most distinctive animal is the precursor of the lama and alpaca, the Guanaco. Rocks or rocky outcrops form the most characteristic ecological niches in the mountains: they have become the refuge for plants and animals that in some cases can only be found here: the silver pine and the locally named "Iguana de cobre" (Copper iguana).

All along the shores of the water courses and the slopes leading to them there are fields of straw that are taller than a man. One can find amphibians, birds and rodents, such as the capybara. Here you will also find a "Centre for Ecological Knowledge" installed in the Administrative offices of the Park. There the visitor can scrutinize a general panorama of the flora, wildlife and the different types of soils found in the region, all shown through window and boards displays. In order for the visitorsto be geographically aware where they are in the mountain area, the main room shows a scale model of the area, representing the points of interest for tourists and the whole park area.

There is also an ecological 35 minutes video called the "Sierra de la Ventana" (the Window Mountain Range). Afterwards, there is a guide tour through the forestry plant nursery and the breeding pens for guanacos and deer. This Ecological Centre is attended both by Park guards and Tourist Guides. It is open all year round, but visitors have to make previous arrangements if out of season.