Where Dreams Connect Wildernesses: Chile's Route of Parks of Patagonia

I'm Brooke Mitchell, and this marks the beginning of Rewildology's new series exploring Chilean Patagonia's magnificent Route of Parks: an epic conservation corridor spanning 1,700 miles, protecting 28 million acres across 17 (soon to be 18) national parks from Puerto Montt to Cape Horn. In this episode, I set the stage for our journey by diving into the region's fascinating natural and human history, from indigenous stewardship spanning 12,000 years to the groundbreaking Tompkins Conservation project that transformed private lands into public parks. Join me as we explore towering granite peaks, ancient Alerce forests, windswept pampas, and vital wetlands—discovering how this visionary conservation model is reshaping our understanding of what's possible when we give nature room to heal. I can't wait to hear what spoke to you most, so drop me a note in the comments! Thanks for listening! SERIES TITLE Where the Wild Calls: A Journey through Patagonia's Route of Parks TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction: A Breathtaking Morning in Patagonia 02:07 The Journey Begins: Exploring Chile's Route of Parks 03:16 Understanding Patagonia's Unique Geography 04:40 The Ancient Forces Shaping Patagonia 07:38 Indigenous Stewardship and European Impact 10:48 The Birth of Chile's National Parks 14:38 The Visionary Tompkins and Their Legacy 18:27 The Global Significance of Patagonia's Conservation 20:26 Conclusion: The Future of Conservation in Patagonia 22:16 Join the Adventure: Project Patagonia LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/ REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 6, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/ JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE! March / April - The Wolverine Way by Douglas Chadwick: https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/ SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, www.rewildology.com SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/ FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY YouTube: