Argentina - Freyja Foundation

SUPPORTING CONSERVATION + COMMUNITY ACROSS ARGENTINA’S STEPPE

Argentina's Patagonian steppe is a land of windswept plains, rugged plateaus, and towering mountains. This vast, arid desert encompasses a staggering 28% of Argentina's landmass – harboring unique wildlife and ecosystems of austere beauty. Despite its significance, less than 1% of the country’s steppe is protected.

Through collaboration, community, and conservation, Freyja is working to protect and restore a conservation corridor and develop an ecotourism destination at Patagonia Park. This expansive 180,000-hectare protected area in the heart of the steppe serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and a model for sustainable development. Since 2017, we have partnered with Fundación Rewilding Argentina to transform a once-degraded landscape into a thriving ecosystem and connect people from near and far to this wild, one-of-a-kind landscape.

LETTING NATURE TAKE THE LEAD

At the core of Patagonia Park is a commitment to rewilding – a conservation strategy that aims to heal and restore natural ecosystems to a state of full functionality. Rewilding gives nature the power to heal itself through restoring habitats, reintroducing native species, and removing barriers in order to revitalize and link complete ecosystems.

While the park protects a significant area of the Patagonian steppe, past human activity – largely high-impact ranching – has greatly impacted the region's biodiversity. The park's rewilding team works to restore the natural balance of the ecosystem through three primary methods:

Species
recovery

Reintroducing species that have disappeared and bolstering populations of animals that have declined significantly, while enabling peaceful coexistence with human activities

Invasive species
eradication

Removing plants and animals that are not native to the region and that threaten local ecosystems

Habitat
restoration

Restoring wetlands, springs, and rivers to create a healthier environment for all species

We’re bringing back 12 of Patagonia’s most iconic species

Austral
rail

Choique

Coypu

Geoffrey's
cat

South American gray fox

Guanaco

Huemul

Pampas
cat

Puma

Culpeo

Humboldt's
hog-nosed skunk

Wolffsohn's
viscacha

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE LANDSCAPES THAT SUSTAIN US

At Freyja, we believe that conservation thrives when people connect with nature. At Patagonia Park, we have invested in creating world-class public use infrastructure that allows visitors from near and far to experience the park's beauty while minimizing impact on the environment.

To create this world-class infrastructure, we engaged the expertise of trail builders across the world – employing both local crews and developing a volunteer program for international trail specialists. Patagonia Park’s infrastructure has become a model for other parks in the country, with the park’s crews training those building infrastructure across other Argentine parks.

Trail
system

A network of over 60 kilometers across 12 trails offers visitors opportunities to explore the park's diverse landscapes, from high plateaus to canyon valleys

Camping and
accommodation

For those seeking deeper immersion in nature, the park offers 5 camping areas and one boutique hotel for overnight stays

Visitor
center and planetarium

Elsa Rosenvasser Feher Interpretation Center & Planetarium provide visitors with information about the park's ecology, history, and conservation efforts

EMPOWERING PATAGONIA PARK’S FUTURE STEWARDS

Though surrounded by the vast Patagonian steppe, many residents of communities bordering Patagonia Park have not had the opportunity to connect with this landscape. For generations, the plateaus, canyons, and rivers that now form the park were private cattle ranches, inaccessible to the local population. Launched in 2022, the Exploradores program aims to shift this narrative – providing local youth with opportunities to connect with their environment in Patagonia Park.

Through overnight camping trips, day outings, and educational activities, Exploradores participants gain a deeper understanding of the park's ecology, history, and cultural significance. The pro bono program also provides a safe space for play, fosters friendships, and offers a sense of belonging to youth.

INVESTING IN AN ECONOMY OF NATURE

Patagonia Park is propelling local economies, fostering a transition from resource extraction to regeneration. Through investing in nature's restoration, we are supporting the development of ecotourism and nature-based local businesses, diversifying opportunities for communities surrounding the park that have traditionally relied on mining and public employment.

Conservation efforts at Patagonia Park are attracting a growing number of tourists to the area, leading to a year-to-year increase in tourism. The park’s growth has created new job opportunities in hospitality, transportation, and guiding sectors, directly supporting local communities, the environment, and long-term term prosperity for the region.

PATAGONIA PARK THROUGH THE YEARS

2012

2013

Wyss Foundation donates 34,012-hectare farm to Rewilding Argentina to protect a hooded grebe nesting site

Rewilding Argentina donates land to government and creates Patagonia National Park (50,214 hectares)

2014

2015

2016

Wyss Foundation continues to purchase and donate land for park

2017

Restoration and infrastructure development begins and park opens to public at La Ascensión Portal

Freyja Foundation joins Rewilding Argentina as lead partner for creating Patagonia Park and baseline ecological study of park area is conducted

2018

Rewilding Argentina acquires El Unco farm and sets up a biological station focused on scientific rewilding research

2019

2020

2021

Rewilding Argentina donates land to government, creating Cueva de las Manos Provincial Park (600 hectares) and La Ascensión National Wildlife Reserve (14,827 hectares)

Cañadón Pinturas Portal opens to the public and rewilding work and volunteer trail building program kick off

2022