Bold Vision:
Sanctuary to Save the Forests
at the Bottom of the World

Lucas Chiappe, eco-activist, farmer and photographer from Argentina's spectacular Patagonia region, is leading an international coalition with a bold vision: creating an international sanctuary that encircles the bottom of the planet, south of the 40th parallel, to preserve the earth's southern-most forests in Argentina, Chile, New Zealand and Australia. The Gondwana Forest Sanctuary is the first plan to conserve millions of acres of forests in four countries.

These sub-Antarctic native temperate rain forests are the oldest and most unique temperate ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere. (They provide some of the most dramatic settings for the Lord of the Rings movie, filmed in southwestern portions of New Zealand's South Island.) Only seven examples exist today, representing less than 1 percent of the world's forests. Despite being some of earth's most ancient and fragile surviving forests, they are endangered by multinational corporations that are destroying them to make paper and chip board.

In a photo essay presented here, Chiappe captures the grandeur of the Patagonian forests in his homeland, and shares his vision for saving the forests at the bottom of the world.

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Go to the Changemakers Library for selected Internet resources about Safeguarding Forest Rights and Resources

Reports conclude much of world's remaining intact forests at risk   WRI - April 3, 2002

Bridging islands of endanger- ed native forests . .

. . . to preserve forest magic,

. . . living fossils, and ancient groves

. . . from the maw of a voracious lumber industry

. . . by creating a global forest sanctuary