Think Green Live Clean

Photo Credit: Austin Parker

The non-profit group Conservacion Patagonica has been dedicated to conservation in Patagonia since 2000. They have protected over 450,000 acres of land through the implementation of national parks in Argentine Patagonia and have started the process of implementing another national park in Chilean Patagonia. The future Patagonia National Park will be in a place called Valle Chacabuco in southern Chile and will be about 500,000 acres in size when completed.

The foundation bought the land, which previously was private land used for livestock, and agreed to restore, conserve, and preserve the land and return the land to the Chilean government with the condition that it be turned into a national park. Currently, the conservation effort is underway and construction of the visitor’s center, future restaurant and lodging facilities are also underway.  The model for the future National Park is Yosemite National Park in California.

I recently participated in Conservacion Patagonica’s volunteer program in Valle Chacabuco. During the two weeks I was in the park we spent three days removing invasive plants,  five days fixing a road, and another five days removing a few miles of old livestock fences. The park is a few years from being ready, but as a volunteer I could tell that the organization knew what they were doing and why. They were all dedicated to the conservation of the land and the protection of the wildlife and although the South American way isn’t always the most efficient, the work is getting done and the land is on its way to becoming the Patagonia National Park.

They’re always looking for volunteers and donations, so check out the foundation’s website by clicking here…