Saving the Patagonian Steppes

Background to the Coastal Steppe project

Dr Gerard Bertrand, Founding Trustee of the WLT, former 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 endemic species and a wealth of other interesting wildlife, including several species considered threatened or endangered.
   
2. Most of the coastal steppe was 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 was 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 saving an important chunk of wilderness by buying the land.

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 Argentine and international tourists, and this area was highlighted as a priority for conservation.

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 and is approximately 750,000km2 in size (about five times the size of England). The Steppe can be divided into several subdivisions, including the Coastal Steppe, which stretches some 3000 km, and includes a stunningly beautiful coastline. None of this was protected as National Parks or nature reserves. Most conservation efforts had gone into protecting the better known pampas habitats, the rainforests of the Andes and maritime habitats.

Ranch of Hopes, showing Guanaco sign. See larger image. (Use your back button to return here.)

Estancia La Esperanza – Ranch of Hopes

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 air ticket for travel between UK and Argentina for WLT's Chief Executive, John Burton. He found it to be ideal for a wildlife reserve, and photographs, as well as some video footage, were taken.

The local NGO - Fundación Patagonia Natural (FPN) expressed considerable enthusiasm for the project and they have subsequently become the WLT partner in Patagonia. It was also recognised that if more funds were raised there was the possibility of extending the acquisition programme. It was considered a priority, in the first instance, to acquire shoreline property to enable a viable ecotourism facility to develop, in order to provide funds for the long term sustainability of the project.

Development

Following discussions between the WLT and the FPN and it was agreed that a small scale eco-tourism lodge (20-24 beds) was needed. Very little development in Argentina, to date, has been designed to be environmentally friendly (i.e. renewable energy, composting toilets etc., as has been done in Belize by Programme for Belize). 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. This project is still current and the WLT is actively seeking funds.

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. Now the capital investment in the land is completed, the WLT and its partner, the Fundación Patagonia Natural believe that this project will act as a stimulus to generate similar, locally funded projects.

Current Situation

The WLT's fundraising has successfully funded the purchase of the area, but much more is needed to carry out management and to extend the project. See current work for more details.

Please help save the Steppes by making a donation to the Patagonia project today.

More Information on the Coastal Steppe Project

To learn more about the Patagonia project visit the main project page: Help Save Patagonia's Wildlife.