Heart of #Cochamó in Chilean #Patagonia to Be Protected After Historic Purchase

After a period of local and international fundraising, #ConservaPuchegüín announces next steps in creating 328,000-plus-acre protected area in #Chile

"This radical collaboration of passionate individuals and organizations large and small has come together to do something extraordinary—a real gift to our Earth and our grandchildren."
- Jeffrey Parrish TNC’s Global Managing Director for Nature Protection

December 19, 2025

"The largest land holding in Cochamó is no longer for sale. Conserva Puchegüín, a locally driven conservation initiative comprised of multiple organizations, raised more than $78 million to purchase and support the long-term protection and effective management of #FundoPuchegüín, a 328,351-acre property of undeveloped nature in the heart of the Cochamó district in Chile’s northern Patagonia.

"The purchase ends years of uncertainty over the future of Fundo Puchegüín after the previous owner put the property up for sale in 2022. Now begins a new phase of enduring protection and long-term management of the area.

"With the registration process of new ownership complete, Conserva Puchegüín will work toward implementing a governance and management model with an approach that prioritizes community participation and #conservation science.

" 'This is a historic milestone not only because of the size of the protected area, but also because of how it was achieved: with participation, transparency and deep respect for the communities that live in Cochamó,' said Andrés Diez, executive director of #PueloPatagonia. “That is the foundation on which the next phase will be built.'

Read more:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/heart-of-cochamo-in-chilean-patagonia-to-be-protected/

#SolarPunkSunday #TheNatureConservancy #PreservingNature #LandConservation #EnvironmentalStewardship #Conservation #NaturePreserve

TNC Acquires 105 Acres of #WestGreenwichRI Forest

Conserved land opens for hiking and hunting as the Bernard and Donald #HarringtonPreserve, TNC’s 26th nature preserve in #RhodeIsland.

January 20, 2026

https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/rhode-island-nature-conservancy-protects-105-acres-west-greenwich/

#SolarPunkSunday #LandConservation #SpendTimeInNature #Conservation #NaturePreserve

#Maine - #FrenchmanBayConservancy permanently marks largest conservation effort by acquiring #HeadwaterBluffs

By Sierra Dubois
Published: Jan. 15, 2026 at 12:35 PM EST|Updated: Jan. 15, 2026 at 2:17 PM EST

HANCOCK, Maine (WABI) - "The Frenchman Bay Conservancy based out of Hancock has been conserving Maine lands for 38 years.

"They’ve worked to conserve more than 25,000 acres to ensure beautiful parts of our state stay that way.

Now, they’ve expanded that conservancy with a historic move.

"Austin Schuver, the director of land protection at the Frenchman Bay Conservancy, has seen firsthand what protecting the lands, waters, and ecosystems of Maine can do.

"Not just for people to enjoy the outdoors in undeveloped land but for the wildlife to be just that, wild and free.

"Leaders in the organization have worked for over 10 years to acquire Headwater Bluffs, and now, the 5,793 acre property is permanently protected.

"It’s the largest single conservation effort in the conservancy’s history.

“ 'It’s in between the Amherst community mountain forest and Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge, so there’s a huge block of over 40,000 acres of conserved lands that this property is now a part of,” said Schuver.

"That 40,000 acre block of forest and wetlands is great for moose and bear and other wildlife to enjoy their natural habitat, but Schuver said it’s for the people of Maine as well.

" 'It’s a really critical time to make sure we have these large blocks of habitat, not only for the wildlife to use but for people to go hunting and to go fishing,' said Schuver.

" 'There’s rock climbing on the property. There’s all sorts of opportunities to get engaged with these landscapes, and we want to make sure those landscapes are there for not only us but future generations, too.'

"Leaders at the conservancy hope this move shows residents how important it is to take advantage of the natural resources in the Pine Tree State.

"It’s a unique gift that not everyone has access to, which is why they’re working to preserve, embrace, and show the deep connection humanity shares with nature."

Learn more:
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/01/15/frenchman-bay-conservancy-permanently-marks-largest-conservation-effort-by-acquiring-headwater-bluffs/

#SolarPunkSunday #LandConservation #SpendTimeInNature #Conservation

#UncontactedIndigenous peoples & efforts to protect them

From the depths of Brazil’s Amazon to Indonesia’s rainforests, some of the world’s most isolated peoples are being squeezed by #roads, miners & drug traffickers—a crisis unfolding far from public view or effective state protection.

#law #InternationalLaw #IndigenousPeoples #IndigenousRights #LandConservation #LandRights #SaveRoadless #logging #mining #agribusiness #Climate #ClimateCrisis
https://apnews.com/article/uncontacted-indigenous-amazon-mining-logging-5d8d90cf8e13f44a5202101fee62b583