Our Mission
Ensure a more sustainable future for Torres del Paine National Park and its surrounding communities.
OUR STORY
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. Until the late 1800s, this hostile environment was solely inhabited by the native fauna of the region, including guanacos, pumas and condors, and the indigenous communities willing to brave the harsh climate. These days however, a different presence is increasingly common: that of tourists.
The park now attracts over 280,000 visitors a year from every corner of the globe. Up until the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure was expected to increase by 10% annually. Intensive use and overcrowding have placed a significant strain on the region’s unique flora and fauna, inadequate and aging infrastructure, and limited trail system. Three man-made fires, all started by tourists, have ravaged 1/5 of the park’s area since 1985. Waste and energy systems, both in the park and in the nearby town of Puerto Natales, have reached capacity.
Public resources alone are simply insufficient to keep up with such rapidly increasing visitation. That’s where the Torres del Paine Legacy Fund comes in, and why your support is needed to protect this iconic yet fragile destination. We see tourism growth as an opportunity to create a positive impact. Through locally led sustainability initiatives, the Legacy Fund enables travelers, residents, and businesses to become a positive economic and ecological force in the region.
Our Vision
We imagine a Magallanes region where partnership generates a responsible tourism that protects the region’s world-renowned natural and cultural heritage.
We invite you to join us in this mission. Your donations will support sustainability initiatives that preserve, support, and celebrate Torres del Paine and its surrounding communities.