Beyond protected areas, on the productive lands of the Patagonian steppe and scrubland, and the caldén forest of the Pampas, we promote livestock management that is regenerative and wildlife-friendly, contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation, and to the well-being of rural communities.

Over the last century, high livestock densities grazing these ecosystems, combined with extensive management practices that did not consider changes in forage

production, have affected soil health, wildlife, vegetation, and the livelihoods of producers. On the one hand, 30% of Patagonia is in a serious state of desertification, impacting native biodiversity as well as livestock production. In addition, in some areas, many native herbivores, scavengers, and carnivores, such as foxes, Andean cats, condors, pumas, and guanacos, have been eliminated to prevent competition with livestock or predation. On the other hand, in the Pampean area, where 70% of the remaining native Caldén forest is located, the greatest threats are shrub encroachment and uncontrolled fires.

Given these scenarios, we identify opportunities to work with livestock producers to find alternative production methods that contribute to the protection of nature and the connectivity of productive lands, while enhancing their economic sustainability and improving the long-term productivity of the fields.

How do we work?

• We research the impacts of human activities on wildlife in the Patagonian steppe and scrubland, and in the caldén forest, and we design different interventions to mitigate them.
• We establish agreements with provincial and national government agencies, private landowners, and producer associations to join forces, enhance the scope and unify production criteria, expand knowledge, and support public policies.
• We disseminate innovative production techniques that effectively contribute to the coexistence of livestock, wildlife, and the environment, such as the incorporation of livestock guardian dogs, the installation of deterrent lights, and the improvement of nighttime corrals.
• We accompany farming families in Patagonia in assessing pasture conditions, planning grazing, and adjusting livestock loads and movement based on field productivity and the presence of wild herbivores, while promoting soil and grassland regeneration.
• We provide technical assistance to livestock producers in the caldenal Pampeano region to analyze their fields and apply techniques for fencing, water distribution, and grazing and rest periods to respect the biological and ecological cycles of the grasslands, while increasing production rates.
• We endorse the Wildlife Friendly® Certification of the global Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network for natural fibers from sheep (Merino wool) and goats (Mohair) and other livestock products that are produced using sustainable techniques.
• We promote the sustainable and certified production of valuable guanaco fiber through wild shearing and subsequent release of the animals, ensuring their welfare, as a productive and sustainable alternative for the management of this species.
• We build links between producers, cooperatives, and national and international industries that use natural fibers and leather to promote sustainable value chains from the field to the storefront.