Defensores del Bosque Chileno (DBCh) is a non-governmental organization that began its efforts in 1993. Among our first initiatives was a campaign to show widespread support for the protection of our native forests. We received 144,000 signatures (approximately one percent of the national population) on a petition asking for citizen support to protect the old grow forests. Since then, we have continued to grow to be one of the most effective organizations working to protect Chile's native forests.

For eight years, this organization has been aiming to increase citizen awareness of the importance of our native forests, and of the threats that hang over them. Among other activities, Defensores has developed an intense communications campaign through the media (written and audiovisual), through its own periodical 'Voices of the Forest' and on its website. Also, we have created an environmental education program; the Gondwana Sanctuary project, the book 'The Tragedy of the Chilean Forest', seminars, international meetings, inter- religious ceremonies for the native forests, and legal actions against multinational companies that threaten the Chilean forest.