133,000 hectares of Chilean Patagonia preserved after local fundraising
a day ago
- #Conservation
- #Patagonia
- #Sustainability
- A 133,000-hectare pristine wilderness in Chile's Cochamó Valley has been preserved through a $63m grassroots campaign.
- The valley, home to ancient alerce trees and diverse wildlife, is now protected from logging, damming, and development.
- Local communities, NGOs, and international donors collaborated to stop hydroelectric projects and vacation home developments.
- The area serves as a biological corridor, connecting protected lands in Chile and Argentina.
- Conservation efforts include sustainable tourism, wildlife surveys, and maintaining traditional lifestyles.
- The project was inspired by the Tompkins' conservation work, which created national parks in Chile and Argentina.
- Future plans include designating 80% of the valley as a national park while allowing sustainable local economic activities.