“When you truly love a place, you do whatever it takes to protect it, even if it takes a decade.”
I recently returned from Chile, where I witnessed one of the most inspiring conservation stories I’ve ever encountered. Rodrigo Condeza and Jose Claro are two remarkable individuals who have spent over a decade fighting to protect a pristine wilderness called Pucheguin in Chile’s Cochamó Valley.
Their journey started with a simple question. “What happens if someone buys land and holds the water rights?” For Rodrigo, this curiosity sparked a lifelong commitment to prevent hydroelectric dams and unsustainable development. For Jose, a search for solitude turned into an unwavering fight to conserve wild places and support local communities.
Traveling on horseback through the valley with them, I felt like I had stepped back in time to Yosemite before the crowds and roads. But what struck me most was how they approached conservation. It was about more than simply protecting nature. They also commit to uplift the people who have lived there for generations.
Now, thanks to their efforts and support from global partners, 325,000 acres of wilderness will be safeguarded forever. Their story is a testament to what’s possible when passion, persistence, and community come together for a cause greater than ourselves.
If you ever doubt what one or two dedicated people can do, remember Rodrigo and Jose. Their love for a place sparked a movement that will outlive them and benefit generations to come.
Episode Resources
Puelo Patagonia: puelopatagonia.cl
Conserva Pucheguin Project: conservapucheguin.org
Connect with Jody
https://parkleaders.com/about/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Notable Moments
00:01:04 Meeting Rodrigo and Jose
00:02:03 Rodrigo shares how a simple question sparked conservation
00:07:15 Jose explains fighting the first hydroelectric project
00:20:54 What happens after the land is protected
00:32:04 The significance of the ancient Alerce tree