In Conversation With: Tim Chester for AFAR Magazine
Lara Webster
April 13, 2024
Tim Chester travels to Argentina for AFAR Magazine to engage with Fundación Rewilding Argentina’s conservation firsthand.
BIOMES
Temperate forest
Montane forest
Grassland
Desert
Freshwater
Ocean
EXPERIENCES
Family
Honeymoon
Intrepid
Culinary
Cultural
Conservation
Marine
Active
SPECIES
Jaguar
Anteater
Macaw
Caiman
Right whales
Orcas
Condors
BEST TIME OF YEAR
November – April
VISIT ARGENTINA
From the protection of millions of acres of land and creation of national parks to the reintroduction of extirpated species and successful engagement of local communities, Argentina’s tale is one of success, inspiration and hope. Here, discover windswept expanses of Pampas, home to the iconic jaguar and giant-anteater, explore the dramatic peaks of the Andes, trek the frozen paths of Patagonia’s ice glaciers and delve into the country’s beating heart, Buenos Aires, to enjoy its vibrant street-scenes. Journey here to join Argentinan chefs for a traditional culinary experience or track bird and wildlife, like red and green macaws and giant river otters, with Fundación Rewilding Argentina’s expert wildlife scientists.
Create your own
private journey
Are you curious about our natural world? Bespoke journeys are entirely tailor-made to each guest, based on their interests, passions and practical travel plans. Speak to our specialist team to begin planning your private journey to Argentina. We think Argentina is a wonderful destination all year round, but is particularly good to visit between November and April.
Conservation
impact
Our Impact Pledge is our commitment to support the advancement of pioneering conservation projects through direct donations with every journey. In 2023, and our second calendar year, we raised and directed over $50,000 to grassroot conversation projects. We do this by created hosted and private conservation travel experiences in Argentina and around the world.
YOUR IMPACT
PEOPLE AND PROJECTS
WITH PURPOSE
PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE:
Sofía Heinonen
Sofía Heinonen is the Executive Director of Fundación Rewilding Argentina. She was instrumental in securing the support and collaboration of local communities at the project’s inception and continues to spearhead FRA’s rewilding and restoration initiatives across the country.
A lifelong activist, Sofía Heinonen led some of the first efforts to bring rewilding to South America more than 15 years ago with the restoration of the Iberá wetlands, the largest wetland ecosystem in Argentina, alongside Doug and Kristine Tompkins. As a biologist and leader, she has spent more than 30 years designing strategies for the creation of protected areas in Argentina, and leads the line in the continents most ambitious initiatives for reversing the species extinction crisis.
What she and her team have achieved, from the reintroduction of jaguar to the region following a 70 years disappearance to the creation of 7.6 million acres of national park across Argentina, is a remarkable achievement.
Sofía has been recognised in BBC’s Most Influential Women of 2022.
PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE:
KRISTINE TOMPKINS
Kristine Tompkins is the co-founder and president of Tompkins Conservation. Together with her late husband, Doug, they have preserved over two million acres in Chile and Argentina.
Kristine embarked on her journey in the outdoor fashion industry when she joined rock climbing legend Yvon Chouinard’s company. When it became Patagonia, Tompkins served as CEO for 16 years, setting standards for ethical fashion and corporate responsibility. The prototypical “anti-corporation,” Patagonia has donated large sums to conservation groups and became a pioneer in mitigating environmental impacts at scale.
Kristine is the president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation. In 2018 she was named the United Nations Global Patron for Protected Areas, was recognised in 2017 with the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, and in 2016 with the World Tourism Award and the Lowell Thomas Award. Kristine has an unburnished energy and sense of urgency to inspire and accelerate new ways to work on behalf of nature.
PROJECTS WITH PURPOSE:
Fundación Rewilding Argentina
The Iberá Rewilding Project is centred on restoring and conserving Argentina’s largest wetland ecosystem. This initiative strives to establish a self-sustaining and ecologically balanced ecosystem, promoting harmonious coexistence between wildlife and local communities. Furthermore, Fundación Rewilding Argentina is reintroducing and restoring vital species such as the giant anteater, jaguar, and green-winged macaw to bolster biodiversity.
FROM OUR JOURNAL
LATEST FIELD NOTES FROM ARGENTINA:
In Conversation With: Kristine Tompkins
Lara Webster
March 28, 2023
In a fascinating conversation between Kristine Tompkins, co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, and Jonathan Baillie, we heard about her journey to create Iberá National Park and
Patagonia chooses planet over profit
Venetia Martin
September 16, 2022
In a move that has shocked and inspired the fashion industry and sustainability advocates alike, founder of fashion retailer Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard has announced that
Rewilding the Iberá Wetlands
Bella Eadie
June 9, 2022
A story of passion and purpose as husband-and-wife team Doug and Kristine Tompkins sought to restore the Iberá wetlands to their natural state and return
Notes from the Field – Parque Nacional Iberá – April/May 2022
Bella Eadie
June 9, 2022
With just over three months until our first immersive journey to Argentina departs, we have checked in with the expert team of biologists and zoologists