Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Located on Navarino Island in the Magallanes Region of Chile, Omora Ethnobotanical Park is a small but globally significant protected area focusing on the study and preservation of the diverse ecosystems of the sub-Antarctic region. Nestled within the wind-shaped landscapes of Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, the park is renowned for its temperate rainforest, moorland, and peat bog habitats. The park was established in 2000 to serve as an outdoor laboratory combining scientific research, environmental education, and conservation. It is managed by the Omora Foundation in collaboration with the University of Magallanes and international partners. Omora offers visitors immersive guided tours highlighting the region’s endemic flora, including evergreen Nothofagus (southern beech) trees, cushion plants, and an array of mosses and lichens growing on its unique substrates. Wildlife viewing opportunities include spotting Magellanic woodpeckers, Austral parakeets, and elusive native amphibians. The park is also a gateway to exploring the broader Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, considered one of the world’s last pristine sub-Antarctic wildernesses. Visitor experiences focus on understanding human-environment interactions, with interpretive trails that intertwine cultural history and botanical knowledge presented by expert guides. Omora Ethnobotanical Park appeals especially to botanists, ecologists, conservationists, and travelers seeking a profound connection with one of Earth’s southernmost ecological frontiers. Its educational programs emphasize sustainability and environmental stewardship amid a fragile ecosystem threatened by climate change and invasive species.
