The extreme weather conditions and the geographical location of Tierra del Fuego increase the vulnerability of its environments to natural and human impacts. In this context, the Protected Productive Landscape Program (PPP), driven by the ProYungas Foundation, seeks to implement sustainable management strategies that integrate production with the conservation of nature and associated ecosystem services.
A territory with strong private presence
The province has an area of 2.07 million hectares, of which 58.4% belongs to the private sector. Within this area, there are 712,406 hectares of native forest, with 52% privately owned and unevenly conserved within the protected areas system.
The greatest biodiversity in Tierra del Fuego is found on private lands, making it impossible to think of sustainable environmental management without the active participation of producers. In this sense, the extensive livestock farming that alternates grazing between paddocks maintains natural pastures and the area of native forest, creating a landscape use compatible with conservation.
Production and conservation in harmony
Alejandro Brown, president of ProYungas, highlighted:
“From the beginning of the Protected Productive Landscape program, we had the ambition to expand the concept beyond the North Grande and always saw Patagonia as an ideal place where nature is produced and conserved over vast areas. This contribution from Tierra del Fuego producers certifies that livestock activity can develop in harmony with the conservation of the rich natural heritage of the southern territory.”
Incorporation of three ranches into the PPP
With support from the Rural Association of Tierra del Fuego and the Southern Center for Scientific Research (CADIC-CONICET), the incorporation of the El Roble, Pirinaica, and San Pablo establishments was formalized, reaching a total of more than 40 thousand hectares under the PPP scheme.
Estancia El Roble
- Owned by the Pechar family, located 44 km from Río Grande.
- Area: 13,159.7 ha, with 42% native forests.
- Managed by Verónica Pechar, who promotes regenerative and responsible livestock farming.
- Since 2017, it has maintained permanent silvopastoral sampling plots with CADIC-CONICET.
- Historical venue of the Provincial Shepherd Festival since 1975.
Estancia Pirinaica
- Owned by Jorge Sevillano and Silvia Martínez, located 104 km from Río Grande.
- Area: 21,658.6 ha, with 65% lenga and ñire forests.
- Strong commitment to genetic improvement of animals, achieving up to 20% more weight gain.
- Renowned for the quality of its bulls and awards received.
- Collaborates with CADIC-CONICET in studies of differential herbivory with native species like the guanaco.
Estancia San Pablo
- Owned by Lucila Apollinaire, president of the Rural Association of Tierra del Fuego.
- Area: 5,950.3 ha, with 52% native forests and 8% peatlands and shrublands.
- Its forests host unique species like Arachnitis uniflora (spider flower).
- Since 2009, it has maintained permanent silvopastoral sampling plots with INTA and CADIC-CONICET, being the oldest studies on the island.
- A reference in agrotourism, receiving visitors interested in livestock history and sustainable land use.
A regional program with continental impact
Created in 2010 by the ProYungas Foundation, the Protected Productive Landscapes Program seeks to balance production and conservation, promoting that private sector actions integrate environmental protection into their management model.
Currently, the PPP has 63 companies adhered in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Paraguay, reaching nearly 3 million hectares, of which more than 40% corresponds to protected natural areas at the landscape scale.
This model demonstrates that the productive sector can be part of the solution in nature preservation, integrating science, production, and conservation in the same territory.
Conclusion
The incorporation of private ranches in Tierra del Fuego into the PPP confirms that extensive and responsible livestock farming can coexist with the conservation of southern ecosystems. With the support of scientific institutions and rural organizations, the program advances towards a territorial management model that recognizes the private sector as a key actor in building a sustainable future.
