From this Saturday, April 12th, residents and tourists from northern Neuquén will once again join forces in **[an environmental campaign](https://noticiasambientales.com/compromiso-ambiental/jornada-fondo-limpio-buzos-voluntarios-retiraron-residuos-del-lago-de-embalse/)** that last year had a positive impact in the **Tromen Provincial Park**. This is an initiative for waste collection, such as batteries, glass, and plastics, **driven by the park rangers themselves**, with the aim of preserving one of the most important natural environments in the region.
The proposal arose as **a preventive strategy to avoid pollution** before the arrival of summer families and quickly became a collective effort that even surprised its promoters. “We were pleasantly surprised by the fact that the residents got involved in this campaign,” said Jorge Gómez, a park ranger in the area.
The first edition of the campaign, started last season, focused on the **collection of used batteries**, which often ended up in lakes or park grounds, **creating a high environmental risk**. Over time, the initiative expanded to other types of waste, such as glass bottles, plastic containers, and other household waste.
This year, the environmental campaign returns with a broader logistics. **Collection points for batteries and other waste** have been set up in different areas of the region, and the municipality of Chos Malal will provide support with the collection and final disposal of materials. The active participation of the community and tourists will be key once again to achieve the success of the campaign.
## **On the path to environmental awareness**
The Tromen Provincial Park is located 2,000 meters above sea level, and its lakes are a vital source of water for Chos Malal and nearby towns. Therefore, **park authorities emphasize the need to care for this resource**. “It is always advisable to take down the garbage we generate, not leave it behind. Pollution directly impacts water sources,” Gómez reminded.
With this concrete and community action, Neuquén once again demonstrates that **[environmental awareness and citizen commitment](https://noticiasambientales.com/energia/neuquen-adopta-el-modelo-sanjuanino-para-crear-parques-solares/)** can go hand in hand, even in the most remote corners of the province.
## **Characteristics of the Tromen Provincial Park**
This park is located in the area known as the Tromen Massif, whose landscape is typically volcanic, with cones, lava flows, and scoria, forming a unique landscape on the slopes of Volcán Tromen. Its main elevations are Volcán Tromen (3,978 m above sea level) and Cerro Wayle (3,182 m above sea level), although the summit of the latter is not within the park boundaries. Additionally, the main bodies of water are Laguna Tromen and Bañado Los Barros, with the former located at the foot of the northwest slope of the volcano at an altitude of 2,100 m above sea level, covering an area of approximately 4 km2.
This park has **steppe vegetation**, including various species of grasses. At the tops of the hills, cushion plants can be found, capable of withstanding strong winds and heavy snow accumulations. Also, in the area, there is a shrub called “colimamil” or “yellow firewood,” named after the color of its bark, which can exceed 3 m in height. This plant is a species with restricted distribution, and in the past, it formed extensive small forests, but few specimens survive due to the exploitation for use as firewood.
The most recognized representatives of the fauna are birds and the waterfowl that inhabit Laguna Tromen and Bañado Los Barros. Among the standout species are the **Andean goose**, Andean gull, **black-crowned night heron**, bay blackbird, Chilean flamingo, **black-necked swan**, coscoroba swan, upland goose, crested duck, **yellow-billed pintail**, silver teal, and red shovel duck.
Furthermore, there are **numerous species of migratory birds**, some of which visit from places as far as the Canadian tundra, such as sandpipers, plovers, and phalaropes, which travel tens of thousands of kilometers on their round trips.
Source: Río Negro.
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