Cape Froward: At the southern tip of the Americas, where dense subantarctic forests meet icy seas and towering glaciers, Chile is moving to create a vast new national park aimed at protecting some of its most fragile and threatened ecosystems.
The proposed Cape Froward National Park will cover around 150,000 hectares on the Brunswick Peninsula, overlooking the Strait of Magellan. The area includes forests, peatlands, glaciers, and a rugged coastline that together form one of the region’s richest natural landscapes.
Environmental groups say the peninsula is a rare blend of marine, coastal, and land ecosystems that remain largely untouched. Conservationists warn that growing human activity, from industry to tourism, must be carefully managed to avoid damaging habitats that serve as a refuge for endangered species.
The project gained momentum after Rewilding Chile donated about 127,000 hectares of land to the government in November, on the condition that the area be declared a national park within two years. The foundation was established by the late Douglas Tompkins, a conservationist and founder of outdoor clothing brand The North Face.
The future park is expected to protect the southernmost mainland population of the endangered huemul deer. Its surrounding waters also support a rich marine food chain, including whales, sea lions, and orcas.
Authorities are now working to finalise the legal decree in the coming months. Once approved, Cape Froward would become part of an eight-million-hectare conservation corridor across Patagonia, linking existing protected areas such as Kawesqar and Alberto de Agostini national parks.
Conservation leaders say the park could also boost sustainable economic development. It would be the first national park within the municipality of Punta Arenas, the capital of Chile’s southernmost region. Plans include hiking trails, camping areas, and basic visitor facilities designed to balance tourism with long-term environmental protection.
Global News Desk
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