20,000 lenga for Torres del Paine - some reflections
The 20 mil lengas campaign was highly successful from both an awareness and fundraising perspective. More than 700 students from across Magallanes contributed over 16,000 lenga seedlings for reforestation.
For many students, it was the first time they had visited the world-renowned park in their own backyard. These students will soon be those responsible for the park’s well-being. Involving them in addressing the challenges facing the park is an important step to ensuring the long-term health of this extraordinary destination. Without the support of the Legacy Fund and partnership with Adventure Life, students from Puerto Natales would not have been able to participate.
The students were not the only ones who took something away from this experience. The campaign was also an important learning opportunity for its organizers. AMA discovered ways to expand their reforestation efforts by involving schools, and partnering with other institutions, like the Legacy Fund. The teachers also played a key role in getting the students engaged and excited —in fact, “you could say that they were the soul of this project, without them we never would have been able to do it,” said Bahamondes.
This campaign was just one of many steps along the long path towards Torres del Paine’s recovery. The Legacy Fund and AMA continue to work together to advance reforestation, establishing a new lenga tree nursery in 2016 to increase the supply of seedlings. Lengas from the nursery will be planted in burned areas of the park. If you’d like to support this effort, or learn more about other Legacy Fund projects, please visit supporttdp.org. You too can help ensure a thriving Torres del Paine!
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.