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World Land Trust

An Opportunity For Positive Action

Saving the Patagonian Steppes

Urgent Action Needed -Puma Killed
News Update -Deposit made for Nature Reserve !!

Whale Soup -An update from John Burton on his return from a flying visit to Patagonia.

( Wilderness for Sale in Patagonia !)
(Browse through some pictures from Patagonia here)

A brief prepared by John A Burton

Dr Gerard Bertrand, Founding Trustee of the WLT, Chairman of Birdlife International and former Executive President of Massachusetts Audubon Society, visited Argentina in 1999.

While he was there he became aware of four key facts:

1. The Patagonian Steppe habitat contains many endemic bird species and much other interesting wildlife, including several species considered threatened or endangered.
2. Most of the coastal steppe is unprotected (later information suggests none protected, under any nature reserve status or National Park).
3. Due to the collapse in wool prices, sheep farming land is very cheap in the region though often overgrazed.
4. Enthusiastic and competent local conservationists and naturalists were identified in the area.

Subsequently Dr Bertrand attended a meeting of the Trustees of the World Land Trust held in London, and the Trustees agreed to investigate further the possibility of land purchase.

The WLT was informed that land was changing hands rapidly and there was talk of tourism developments on the coast. The Valdes Peninsula is an increasingly popular tourist destination both for Argentinean and international tourists.

Steppe is the characteristic habitat of most of Patagonia, and encompasses a vast area -- it is one of the largest single habitats in the world. The Steppe can be divided into several subdivisions, including the Coastal Steppe, which stretches some 3000 kms, and includes some stunningly beautiful coastline. According to the local conservationists, none of this is currently protected in National Parks or nature reserves. Most conservation efforts have gone into protecting the more famous pampas habitats, or the rainforests of the Andes.

Estancia San Matias

The WLT was informed that several Estancia's were on the market in the Golfo San Matias, north of the Valdes Peninsula (world famous for its breeding colonies of sea lions, penguins and elephant seals). The gulf and the peninsula are also the main breeding ground for the Southern Right Whale which often comes within a few metres of the shore.

British Airways provided a complimentary airticket for travel between UK and Argentina, and the WLT's Chief Executive, John Burton, visited the region. He found it to be ideal for a wildlife reserve, and photographs, as well as some video footage, were taken.

The local NGO -Fundacion Patagonia Natural (FPN) expressed considerable enthusiasm for the project and has agreed to back it. It was also recognised that if more funds were raised there was the possibility of extending the acquisition programme. It was considered a priority to initially acquire shoreline property. This was important to enable a viable ecotourism facility to develop, to provide the economic basis for development.

Development

Discussions were held with the FPN and it was agreed that the best use of a property, to ensure its future protection, was a small scale eco-tourism development (20-24 beds). It was pointed out that there was (as far as was known) no development in Argentina that had been designed to be environmentally friendly (i.e. renewable energy, composting toilets etc., as has been done in Belize by PFB). It was agreed that by using local architects and environmental consultants from UK, the aim should be to produce a proposal for a model facility to be developed, seeking funding from foundations, and other agencies.

The future

The WLT has launched a fundraising campaign. However, the fundamental problem remains: the timescales are very short. [This is often going to be the case with WLT projects, since they involve land purchase.]

SUMMARY

The Patagonian Steppe is an important habitat for many threatened and endemic species. Most of it is at risk of desertification through overgrazing, and many areas show signs of serious erosion. Currently none of the coastal Steppe is protected in national parks or nature reserves. The proposal to purchase and establish a nature reserve will set a precedent and provide a model for future efforts to conserve this unique biotope. It will provide facilities for ecotourism and education, and will provide a valuable resource for the local communities. The project is expected to become sustainable and self financing, once the capital investment in the land is completed. The WLT and its partner, the Fundacion Patagonia Nacional believe that this project will act as a stimulus to generate similar, locally funded projects.

If you or your company would like to help with this project please contact John A Burton at the World Land Trust or ...

*** Click on the Donation Form here and printout. ***

And post or fax it to us at:

John Burton,
World Land Trust,
Blyth House,
Bridge Street,
Halesworth,
Suffolk,
IP19 8AB, UK

Tel: +44 +(0)1986 874422
Fax: +44 +(0)1986 874425
E-mail: worldlandtrust@btinternet.com

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