Who toured the scenery of our country know of the fabulous diversity of flora and fauna it’s Argentina. One of the ways to ensure the conservation of this natural heritage is protected areas (managed with rules guaranteeing the protection of natural and cultural resources area). While Argentina was a pioneer with extensive areas of national parks and provincial reserves, today has just 7.7% of its mainland and just over 1% of the sea surface under some condition. This places it well below the commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity, by the Argentine government and ratified by Congress through Law 24.375, which states that should be protected at least 17% of each region’s natural land and 10% of marine and ensure that the majority are well implemented to fulfill their function. Considering that over 80% of our land is in private hands, we understand the importance of involving landowners in the conservation of our natural resources. In Argentina there are about 100 private nature reserves established voluntarily by the interest of their owners, with the help of civil society or through mechanisms that generate some provinces to encourage the creation of these reserves. So, make a valuable contribution to ensure the conservation of wildlife and ecosystem functioning, showing that private conservation is a valid supplement protected and contribute to a regional sustainable development strategy tool surface. Since 1987, Argentina Wildlife Foundation, together with owners, we develop Network Wildlife Refuges provide technical assistance to carry out the management of the reserves. Today, the network has 16 Shelters in 9 provinces, completing more than 177,000 hectares protected. There, productive activities such as tourism, which allow economically revalue natural environments that harbor and support the tasks involved in nature conservation are developed. One is the Reserva Natural Villavicencio, known for its impressive hotel and be the source of mineral water. The reserve is home to diverse flora and fauna, and historical sites of significance that are managed with environmental criteria. So, Villavicencio protects the springs whence its main product and contributes to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage Mendoza. Write: Alejandra Carminati Network Coordinator Wildlife Refuge
