Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park, located in the extreme south of Chilean Patagonia, is world-renowned for its spectacular views, formidable mountain ranges, and unpredictable weather. Small, stunning valleys separate mesmerizing geological features, glaciers, and lakes of impossible blues. Every turn reveals a kind of beauty that is hard to process and a visceral fear of the jagged peaks above. Prior to the late 1800s, this hostile environment was solely inhabited by the native fauna of the region, including guanacos, pumas and condors, and the indigenous tribes that braved the harsh weather.

These days, a different resident is increasingly common. The park is now a playground for explorers and a retreat for over 280,000 visitors each year. CONAF, the Chilean National Forest Service, expects this figure to increase by over 10% each year. The rapid growth in visitors to the region has put enormous strain on the resources of the park, as well as its gateway community, Puerto Natales. The infrastructure, energy and waste systems in the region were designed for far fewer people than they currently serve.

The consequences from increased visitors and lack of sustainable tourism practices over the years can be seen throughout the park. The park has suffered three major man-made forest fires since 1985, devastating Lenga tree forests that will take at least a century to fully recover. Increasing foot traffic from the growing number of travelers has put the trails and other infrastructure in need of repair. Without intervention, the damage, and the needs will only grow, yet the region lacks both the financial and human resources to support the necessary improvement projects.