Work with landowners to encourage wildlife friendly and sustainable ranching practices

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Compared to other sites in the region, the steppe of Valdés still harbors considerable populations of native wildlife. However there is something that makes this place an unconventional protected area, approximately the 98% of land is privately owned and sheep ranching is widespread within the area since more than 120 years ago.

For this reason, working with landowners to encourage wildlife friendly and sustainable ranching practices it´s crucial for the long term coexistence between native and domestic animals.

Sheep farming techniques are changing in Patagonia in order to sustain and rebuild the grasslands. New methods in pasture rotation to allow regrowth are hoping to restore the area. The rotation of the herds allows for the regeneration of native plant species and helps prevent over-grazing and desertification.

With native animals relying on private land for habitat, food, or breeding grounds, meaningful conservation will not be achieved without private landowners on board.

Engaging them in active habitat preservation is the only way to succeed. Incentive mechanisms reward private landowners for conservation and stewardship efforts that create positive externalities for the public good.

Compensation mechanisms indemnify ranchers for the sheep lost to predators. It´s an aim of CPV to help them reduce those losses and encourage to adopt different methods of predation control like some being successfully used in other regions of Patagonia and many other countries around the world as the use of livestock guardian dogs.

Work with landowners to encourage wildlife friendly and sustainable ranching practices

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Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site & Biosphere Reserve.