Reforestation is no small task, particularly in Patagonia. For starters, it’s a costly process. Each lenga tree (Nothpofagus pumilio) costs about $5 to plant. That might not seem like much if you’re only planting one tree, but multiply it by the thousands of trees that it will take to restore the devastated native forests in Torres del Paine and you’re looking at a hefty price tag.
But cost isn’t the only barrier. Lenga tree seedlings aren’t widely available and there are only certain times of year when they can be planted. And of course, once the seeds are finally in the ground, there’s still a long waiting period for the trees to reach maturity. The harsh Patagonian winds only extend this process. It can take 50 years for a lenga tree to grow 10 meters.
To boost reforestation funding and involve local youth in environmental stewardship, AMA Torres del Paine launched a school fundraising campaign in 2014. The campaign, titled 20 mil lengas para el Paine (or 20,000 lenga for Paine) engaged schools across the Magallanes region of Chile in a fundraising competition. Students raised money by selling coupons equal to the cost of one replanted tree to their family, friends, and other members of the community. Classes that raised the most money won a field trip to the national park and helped to plant lenga seedlings.
The campaign generated an overwhelming amount of interest and participation. The field trips proved to be an effective way to engage youth in conservation efforts and inspire environmental responsibility. Based on this initial success, AMA decided to coordinate additional student reforestation excursions to the park, allowing more children - particularly those in the park’s gateway town of Puerto Natales - to participate. By teaming up with the Torres del Paine Legacy Fund to expand the campaign’s budget, AMA was able to make these trips a reality.
Puerto Natales high schoolers on their way to Torres del Paine National Park (AMA Torres del Paine)Local high school students learning about reforestation in Torres del Paine National Park (AMA Torres del Paine) Teamwork - 20 mil lengas para Paine (AMA Torres del Paine)Local high school students participate in reforestation of Torres del Paine (AMA Torres del Paine) Local high school students participate in reforestation of Torres del Paine during the campaign 20 mil lengas para Paine (AMA Torres del Paine)Taking a break with friends during class field trip to reforest Torres del Paine National Park (AMA Torres del Paine)
Thanks to support from Adventure Life, in April and May 2016, 68 high school students and 5 teachers from Liceo Gabriela Mistral and Liceo Politécnico Luis Cruz Martínez in Puerto Natales were able to journey to the park, many for the first time. In addition to learning about the park’s flora and fauna, they dug in and got their hands dirty, planting 3,800 lenga trees!
Digging in - 20 mil lengas para Paine (AMA Torres del Paine)Digging in with the iconic Cuernos in the background - 20 mil lengas para Paine (AMA Torres del Paine)
“They really got into it too,” describes project coordinator Nelson Bahamondes. “We were a bit worried at first that they might be exhausted after the first day. But the next day that were ready to go again, super energized. That was really fun to see. I think it was also important that they realized that reforestation is more than what they had seen on TV, it’s more than just sticking a plant in the ground and covering it up. It’s an entire process that takes a a lot of time and energy.”
Local high school students participate in reforestation of Torres del Paine during the campaign 20 mil lengas para Paine (AMA Torres del Paine)Celebrating a job well done - 20 mil lenga para Paine (AMA Torres del Paine) Some much needed sustenance after a long day planting lenga trees with their classmates in Torres del Paine National Park (AMA Torres del Paine)Local high school students participate in reforestation of Torres del Paine during the campaign 20 mil lengas para Paine (AMA Torres del Paine)
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
