Chilean Patagonia’s wild Cochamó Valley has been saved from logging, damming, and development. Local groups raised $78 million to buy 133,000 hectares of this pristine wilderness. The land was officially handed over to the nonprofit Fundación Conserva Puchegüín on 9 December. This protected area is 383 times the size of Manhattan’s Central Park. The valley is lush, with waterfalls, green rivers, hummingbirds, and condors. It hosts ancient alerce trees, which have grown since 1,000 BC. These forests hold 11% of the world’s remaining alerce trees, valued for their solid, water-resistant wood. In 2012, local ranchers, tour operators, climbers, and NGOs united to stop a $400 million hydroelectric project. They also blocked plans for luxury homes and paved roads that threatened the valley’s nature and way of life. José Claro, president of Puelo Patagonia, said, "Our goal was to transform threats into opportunities." The valley connects to 1.6 million hectares of other protected lands in Chile and Argentina. The area gets over 3 meters of rain yearly, making farming and cattle grazing very hard. Except for some cave drawings, it shows little sign of human settlement. The dense forests and bamboo undergrowth create a wildlife haven, including the tiny pudu deer. Alex Taylor, CEO of Cox Enterprises, donated $20 million. He called Cochamó, "almost like the spiritual centre of the universe from a forest biodiversity standpoint," praising its pristine beauty. Patagonia, the outdoor clothing company, also contributed $4 million through its nonprofit, aiming to protect the valley and local traditions. Visitors will be limited to 15,000 a year with managed hiking trails and camps developed with local input. The Freyja Foundation and Wyss Foundation helped fund the purchase and ongoing protection. Efforts include wildlife surveys, revealing endangered huemul deer herds. Homes here use solar or wind power, and most goods arrive by packhorse, keeping development minimal. Inspired by past conservation leaders Kris and Doug Tompkins, this project balances protected land with sustainable community living. Plans will place 80% of the valley under strict protection and allow 20% for local farming and tourism. This will preserve both nature and the rural lifestyle for generations to come. A local cowboy guiding tourists said he feels proud that his family’s mountain trails will be preserved and enjoyed by future visitors.