2 September 2025

Aves Argentinas was honored by the Buenos Aires Legislature for its work in favor of the environment and culture

In a milestone moment, Aves Argentinas and its president, Juan María Raggio, were celebrated by the Buenos Aires Legislature for their decades of leadership in bird conservation and environmental education.

In its Golden Hall, the Legislature of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires recognized the environmental and educational work of the civil association Aves Argentinas. An award was also given to the web for the commitment and career of its president, Juan María Raggio, as a Distinguished Personality in the field of Culture.

**Juan María Raggio (left) and Mario Gustavo Costa (right)** from Aves Argentinas’ Executive Committee receive the *Distinguished Personality in the Field of Culture* award from legislator Jessica Barreto.

The ceremony, presided over by Jessica Barreto, a legislator from the autonomous city of Buenos Aires who promoted the initiative together with Deputy Matías López, included the presentation of diplomas to the honorees, the screening of an institutional video, and words of gratitude from representatives of the organization.

With over 100 years of history and more than 4,000 members nationwide, Aves Argentinas actively works to protect the over 1,000 species of wild birds that inhabit the national territory through conservation, research, education, and environmental outreach projects.

**Torrent Duck (*Merganetta armata*)**, an emblematic species of Patagonia, where Aves Argentinas runs one of its flagship programs: *Programa Patagonia*. © Gonzalo Pardo.

“This recognition is not only for me, but for all the people who, for more than a century, have been part of and supported Aves Argentinas with passion and commitment. Our mission goes beyond birds: we seek to awaken in every citizen a love for nature and the will to protect it”
Juan María Raggio
President of the Association and a naturalist with more than 30 years of experience in conservation and environmental communication.

As part of his profession, Raggio is also director of the production company JUMARA Films and creator of documentaries such as El ocaso del Macá Tobiano (The Decline of the Lesser Skuas), Argentina Salvaje (Wild Argentina), and Pumas de la Estepa (Pumas of the Steppe), works that have been key in promoting the creation of protected areas in Argentina and raising public awareness about biodiversity.

During the event, tribute was also paid to the collective work of the organization, which carries out projects in ecosystems as diverse as Patagonia, the Atlantic Forest, the Argentine Sea, and the Pampas grasslands, working to conserve emblematic species such as the Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi), the Pampas Meadowlark (Leistes defilippii), the Saffron-cowled Blackbird (Xanthopsar flavus), and the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys), among many others.

Aves Argentinas is also a national member of BirdLife International, the world’s largest nature conservation network, and collaborates on joint actions with other NGOs, state agencies, and local communities.