Famatina Mountains

The Famatina Mountains rise in western La Rioja like a great water tower in the middle of the desert. There, among glaciers, high Andean meadows, and ancient trails, nature flourishes and provides water to more than a million people downstream.

The Landscape
This high-mountain landscape protects watersheds essential to thousands of people and is home to emblematic species such as the taruca (Andean deer) and the puma. Since 2014, we have been working with five municipalities to promote a conservation model supported by sustainable tourism.

The Threat
Water sources face intense extractive pressures such as mining, and the ecosystem still has significant gaps in scientific information about key species and ecological dynamics.

Our work
We promote a conservation mosaic that combines applied science, community participation, and sustainable tourism. We conduct biodiversity research, promote educational materials, and support the development of tools to manage public use and strengthen local economies linked to nature.

The community
The project brings together local communities, universities, tourism stakeholders, municipalities, and public agencies in a territorial network that collectively builds new ways to conserve the mountains.

More than 10 community meetings, spaces for dialogue and participation on conservation have been held in the five departments of the Famatina Mountains, strengthening the collective construction of a shared vision for the territory.
A keystone species program has been implemented with students from local universities.
Partnerships with municipalities and universities have strengthened conservation, research, and local development.
A sustainable tourism program included the development of municipal tourism planning roadmaps.
The first collaborative tourism map of the Famatina Mountains was created.
Trails that connect us to the mountains have been enhanced in three municipalities through infrastructure, interpretive signage, and local capacity building for their management and continuity.
More than 30 communication and environmental education materials have been produced to promote dialogue and knowledge sharing for a greater appreciation of natural heritage.