A Project with Deep Roots in Environmental Protection
Fundación Llancalil is a Chilean grassroots nonprofit based along the pre-Andes of the South of Chile.
Although the foundation was officially founded in 2018, the seed for this project was planted as far back as the 1970’s and ‘80’s when Jasper Stephens and Cristina Delano began fighting alongside a small group of environmental activists to protect and save the old growth forests of the Clayoquot Sound around Tofino, British Columbia. When they moved to the south of Chile where old growth native forests remained under threat, they committed to doing what they could to contribute to the protection of the lungs of the planet. This project is the legacy of their commitment.
The Mission of Fundación Llancalil
Fundación Llancalil is rooted in the belief that the wellbeing of all species is dependent on the wellbeing of our planet. It is our mission to create restoration sanctuaries where ecosystems are able to regenerate and thrive, and where the human spirit and imagination is ignited and inspired with possibility.
Protecting these Unique Valleys
There are a number of unique aspects of the valleys of Llancalil that inspire and require multi-generational protection:
Orientation
Llancalil holds the birthplace of two valleys - Pobre Diablo and Llancalil, and within these valleys resides the headwaters of two key rivers. Steep, old-growth forest-covered mountains encase both valleys, offering natural protection on three sides.
Because the headwaters of two rivers begin in these valleys, we have the profound responsibility and privilege to ensure these watersheds remain pure, healthy and free-flowing. These waters remain free of any agro-chemicals, pesticides, trash and industrial waste because there is no external cultivation taking place.
A Story of Resilience and Regeneration:
This land offers a unique journey through our human relationship with land- one story based on extraction, and another based on relationship, protection and regeneration.
Destructive Human Influence: Exploit and Extract
Cut and Burn for Industrial Lumber and Agriculture
When traveling along the length of the valley, there is sweeping evidence of the decades spent clearing old growth forests for lumber and cattle grazing. When settlers (colonos) originally arrived in this valley, they focused their efforts on clearing trees from the valley through clear cuts and burning in order to create pasture for agriculture, primarily meant for grazing cattle and sheep. The larger of the two valleys was also exploited for the harvest and milling of lumber; however, the logging operation was very poorly managed, and as a result many ancient trees were cut, but never processed and cleared.
Restorative Human Influence: Protect and Re-wild
When all seven lots were purchased and the full 500hectare lot was combined, it was agreed by Jasper and Cristina that they would not develop the land further or participate in any extractive industrial work in the area. Instead, they would begin the long and arduous process of cleaning up the disaster left behind the failed logging operations and allow the land to re-wild in its own natural process.
Over the course of 20+ years the land has been maintained in a protected state, where native species have been able to return, roam and grow without human intervention. A small herd of cattle has maintained the pasture in the summer to help mitigate risks of wildfires and support ongoing relationships with neighbors who are historically connected with this land and valley.
Observing and Participating in Transition
Our climate is changing rapidly and now, more than ever, it is essential that we take time to appreciate the value of transition and resiliency. This valley represents a place that is continuously in transition as it heals from the generations of extractive practices and maintains a thriving old-growth native forest that has endured for centuries.
As one moves across the land, it is possible to experience multiple-stages of recovery. The profound and moving experience of observing the resilience of this place provides opportunity and inspiration for people to cultivate grounded optimism and hope in our own resilience and possibility to thrive in the midst of climate change.
Just as the earth is in transition, so is the collective human race, and it is our hope that the experience of opening a space that is in transition can support our conscious transition away from being an extractive species and toward being a restorer species.
Protection of Native and Keystone Species
This valley offers protection to a wide variety of species that are rapidly losing habitat throughout Chile as the country continues to develop in an industrialized manner. The protection of this valley ensures the protection of a wide variety of flora and fauna.
We are proud to have documented evidence that Llancalil is home to a wide variety of threatened species that have limited freedom to roam as Chile continues to develop. Also within the boundaries of the reserve are Bosque Nativo Coigüe and the endangered Araucaria, which are currently under threat of extinction due to over-logging, loss of habitat and the uptick of forest fires and disease as the climate rapidly changes.