Kristine Tompkins: "Argentines must understand that their future is tied to national parks and defend them"

"The government is not enough, citizens must participate and reorient the mirror to recognize that the future of national parks is in their hands," said the ambbadador of the protected areas of

A

and head of the
Kristine McDivitt, of the Tompkins Conservation Foundation, makes a strong call to action for the care and preservation of nature.

For over 25 years, Kristine, with the help of her husband, Douglas Tompkins,
died in 2015, works on the creation and expansion of protected areas and the restoration of ecosystems. Its foundation has already purchased and donated more than one million hectares in Argentina and Chile to ensure the protection of natural treasures. And if we take into account the collaboration with the governments of both countries, the figure rises to 5 million.

Kristine is wearing a green shirt and a pair of off-road adventure boots. The simplicity of its appearance is complemented by the powerful message that it seeks to convey: "National parks belong to you.You must visit them and develop a sense of belonging.Protected areas are the inheritance future generations In a crisis natural resources, where do you think they will find drinking water and wood? "

In Argentina, the protected area responsible for
The administration of national parks for terrestrial ecosystems represents 1.53% (4,295,411 ha) of the territory. For seamen 6.50% (10,423,010 ha). In total, there are 48 national protected areas covering 14,732,264 hectares of the country.

When she is asked about the impact and benefits of creating national parks for society, Kristine smiles, sits in her chair and sighs to save time and summarizes everything that is happening. She wants to say: "Parks are the greatest guarantee of long-term conservation, they promote the restoration of ecosystems, protect nature and biodiversity, and in turn drive the development of an economy. regenerative based on ecotourism and strengthening cultural and social values. "

The Tompkins Foundation estimates that tourism in Argentina generates $ 15 billion a year, which equates to all oil and gas production. And in the next ten years, the sector could generate 750,000 new jobs. Nearly half would be nature tourism.

Kristine takes a break to drink water. He refuses to use a disposable cup, but accepts with suspicion the plastic bottle. He comes back to the interview with a friendly tone while conversing in almost perfect Spanish and intertwines a few English words.

-What is your greatest achievement in Argentina?

-The
Provincial and National Park of Iberá. There are no other projects that involve all sectors of society, the provincial government, the national government and all members of our team. It is the most emblematic history of our work because the lands we bought previously had no legal, social and cultural recognition. It took a long three-year process for the province of Corrientes to badign jurisdiction over the lands we gave to the nation. Today, the park enjoys the nation's highest legal protection for public lands and the highest hierarchy that can be attributed to a world-clbad tourist destination.

Iberá Park is also recognized internationally for the ongoing wood restoration process, the main objective of which is to reintegrate extinct species and increase population of people at risk. Kristine's team is working on management projects for 18 species, 7 of which have disappeared and have been reintroduced.

After a long and painstaking process, the first two puppies of Iberá were born last year in Iberá.
yaguareté feral. After 70 years of extinction in the province of Corrientes, they are the first cats of this species to be born in their original ecosystem. In addition, a few weeks ago, he arrived in Argentina from the Budapest Zoo in Hungary, the first copy of
Choker-wolf or giant otter to be introduced in the park after half a century of extinction in the country.

The

United Nations

alert that 157 species disappear a day because of the man. "This is the largest wave of biological losses since the disappearance of the dinosaurs, which is why we are committed to reinstating endangered species in all projects in Argentina." the extinction crisis is the most important and complex task we face, which is our great commitment, "says Kristine.

– Do you think that the Administration of National Parks of Argentina has the capacity and the tools to take care of and preserve the results of its projects?

– We would never have invested millions of dollars if we thought that they were not able to take care of the protected areas. The spirit exists, but the level of management needs to be adapted. Some parks usually have a lot of support, others less. We have the example of Monte Leon Park in Santa Cruz. When we donated the area, the World Bank had a $ 5 million fund to create the infrastructure and manage it. But we now discover that it is closed and that, to be viable, a park must be alive and open to the public. And between the role of society that must be involved, demanded and valued. Without the attention and attention of citizens, a park may exist, but it will soon rot. The Argentineans must understand that their future is tied to national parks and defend them.

-And how can this civic commitment to nature be activated?

It is education and activism. Argentines are not great backpackers. They are not interested in going to national parks during the holidays. They choose destinations such as Punta del Este or Miami. It's something cultural. In addition, access to parks in Argentina is difficult because of the long and costly distances and the economic situation of the country. However, Americans began visiting their parks during the Great Depression because they could not move anywhere else. We know that the commitment is not made overnight, it requires a lot of tourist campaign and investment from the government.

In Chile, Kristine decided to embark on the Friends of the Parks Society initiative, a public-private partnership aimed at activating and perpetuating the culture of Chilean Patagonia's national parks. It is a strategy that invites civil society to become involved in the protection of parks through a collaborative network of partners and participatory organizations that promote their public and democratic character.

In Argentina, on the other hand, there is still no equivalent organization, and even those living near the parks do not visit them regularly. In fact, according to statistics provided by the National Park Administration on the basis of a request for access to public information on

THE DATA NATION

only 16% (3,284,146) of protected area visitors reside in the city and province, while foreigners represent 30%.

In addition, tourism is concentrated each year in the same parks:

Iguazu

, Los Glaciares and Nahuel Huapi. While others are relegated: San Guillermo, Copo, El Impenetrable have had less than 1000 visitors in the last 6 years.

-How is your connection to the society and the Argentine government?

-Today, the relationship is trustworthy. Before, in 1997, when we bought the first property in Iberá, they accused us of stealing the water to send it to China or to deliver the Argentine lands to Chile. But it was understandable, because 25 years ago, no one could believe that two foreigners would buy large quantities of land and return them. But today, we have already worked with ten very different presidencies from one another and have all understood the value and importance of national parks for the country. The conversation with local and national governments is always open.

-What is the future of the Tompkins Foundation in Argentina?

-We have many projects from the Blue Patagonia Project on the Chubut Coast to the Miter Peninsula Provincial Park in Tierra del Fuego. We already donate to all parks except part of Iberá, but we will continue to make purchases. I always prepare the details in case I die tomorrow, the work must continue. It should not depend on me. My role is solely to lead, I have representatives in Argentina and Chile, as well as citizens. Places must be in the hands of its inhabitants. I am confident that people will make their voices heard and protect national parks. But it depends on you.