What is Fundación Conserva Puchegüín?
Fundación Conserva Puchegüín is a non-profit organization working to protect Fundo Puchegüín – a 133,000-hectare property of pristine nature in the municipality of Cochamó (Los Lagos Region) in northern Chilean Patagonia. Protecting this area safeguards the nature and culture in the greater Cochamó region and helps create one of the largest biological corridors in Latin America.
Fundación Conserva Puchegüín was born out of the Conserva Puchegüín alliance. After an ambitious international fundraising campaign, the alliance succeeded in purchasing Fundo Puchegüín in December 2025. This private property of exceptional natural and cultural value had been at risk, and its purchase ensures its permanent protection.
Puchegüín boasts a breathtaking tapestry of ecosystems – including ancient alerce forests, towering granite walls, glaciers, wetlands and crystal clear waters. In this region, endemic and endangered species thrive alongside local rural communities whose way of life is deeply intertwined with the land. For this reason, the foundation seeks not only to protect the area’s natural ecosystems, but to do so while supporting local development, long-term economic sustainability, and the continuity of local traditions and culture.
Conserva Puchegüín began in Chile as a local dream and earned the support of thousands of people around the world – becoming one of the most significant conservation campaigns to ever come out of the country.
What are Conserva Puchegüín’s goals?
Conserva Puchegüín began as an international alliance formed by Puelo Patagonia, The Nature Conservancy, Freyja Foundation, Patagonia Inc., and the Wyss Foundation. With the purchase of Fundo Puchegüín, Fundación Conserva Puchegüín was created to protect the land and ensure its permanent protection. Today, the foundation comprises Puelo Patagonia, The Nature Conservancy Chile, and Freyja Foundation.
Our goals:
Our next steps
With the land secured, we’re now establishing a Derecho Real de Conservación – a Chilean legal tool that guarantees long-term protection. Then, we will move toward creating a protected area with a mixed conservation model: roughly 20% will be designated for sustainable uses (such as responsible tourism, traditional livelihoods, and research), and 80% will be put under strict conservation.
Raise funds
Acquire Puchegüín
Create action plan
Conduct zoning
Create protected area
