2nd

Argentina is South America's second largest country both in terms of land mass and population.

17%

Since the turn of the century, Argentina's tree cover has shrunk by a whopping 17%, thanks to large scale agriculture - such as soybean and livestock production.

Alarmingly only one-tenth of Argentina is now covered by forests. 

25%

From the tropical climates in the north, to the freezing tundras in the south, Argentina's changing landscapes are rich with biodiversity. It's home to over a thousand bird species, hundreds of reptiles, mammals ​and amphibians.

Unfortunately, 25% of them are under threat of extinction.

Restoring High Andean Polylepis Forests in Argentina

Why High Andean Forests?

The Andes Mountains of South America are the leading biodiversity hotspot in the world.

The Andes cover just 1% of the world's land, and yet are home to an impressive 15% of Earth's species, like the spectacled bear, puma and Andean condor.

On top of this, 10 million indigenous people call the Andes their home.

Thanks to agricultural expansion, the High Andean Forests which once covered large parts of the Andes, are now fragmented. The remnant patches of forests are severely degraded.  The loss of these native Polylepis forests threatens the very existence of the animals, plants and people who depend upon them.

The hardy evergreen Polylepis is the highest-altitude growing tree in the world, growing up to 5,000 meters above sea level, often forming the treeline just below the Andean glaciers.

​As well as being a vital carbon sink, Polylepis forests prevent flooding and soil erosion, and provide essential wildlife habitat. But even more importantly, they protect the water security of millions of people. These incredible forests act as a major source of South American's water supply, including the Amazon basin and the Amazon Rainforest.

By capturing and storing glacial meltwater and mist from clouds, these amazing trees release water slowly into rivers, streams and to the communities below, even during the dry season.  Whats more, by creating clouds, Polylepis forests help to keep the local climate cool, staving off the effects of our warming climate.

If all that wasn't enough, Polylepis Forests have another vital role to play. They provide refuge to wildlife species seeking higher and cooler climates in order to survive climate change.

That's why we've teamed up with Global Forest Generation and ECOAN's Acción Andina, winners of the Earthshot Prize, to restore these native forests and their ecosystems across Argentina. 

Our reforestation work is vital for the region’s climate resilience, water security, biodiversity, community livelihoods and indigenous culture. Plus of course the incredible carbon sequestration potential we so desperately need to fight climate change on a global scale. 


Our collaboration with Acción Andina - with thanks to on-the-ground co-ordinators -  Árbol y Vida, Fundación Bosquizar, Fundación de Actividades Biosféricas (FAB), Germinar - means engaging and working closely with the local communities in Jujuy, Córdoba and Tucumán, to carry out conservation activities, building powerful partnerships, enhancing livelihoods and creating forest ecosystems that endure for generations. 

PLANT TREES IN ARGENTINA