Summary of FutaFriends: What We Do

Currently, our primary areas of focus include income-generation development for the community integrated with tourism promotion and the product market it generates; youth education programs to increase awareness and community interest from the bottom up, such as No A La Mina, or No To Mining campaigns; and ultimately, through a combined effort by all parties, the conservation of the Futaleufu as a designated protected area of national importance.

At FutaFriends we work to provide alternative forms of income generation for the community that involves sustainable economic development. FutaFriends is working to improve the access by community members to the economic benefits of tourism. Community participation in tourism development is vital. FutaFriends works to improve the relationship between a primarily foreign-operated tourism industry and the local community through the development of income-generating projects, such as our sustainable agriculture program, guide training for locals, promotion of community events that integrate community members and tourism outfitters, and eventually the formation of an Association of Futaleufu Outfitters.

Our education programs serve to collect and disseminate information on the economic, ecologic, and social benefits of the Futaleufu River. From the coordination of programs and environmental youth groups, to the organization of community activities with local groups and government agencies, we provide information on the impacts and threats of unsustainable development projects and their effects to the region. FutaFriends looks to prevent the unsustainable practices and development projects that threaten the Futaleufu Valley through increased information availability that leads to increased community support and conservation of the valley.

Since its inception, FutaFriends has worked to obtain protected status of the Futaleufu River and the land surrounding it. After ten years of operation, FutaFriends has changed its implementation practice, focusing on private conservation practices as the force that will later pressure the national government into designating the Futaleufu River as a protected area of national importance. With the participation of the community, political support, and landowners, FutaFriends will serve as the connecting link to obtain permanent protective status for the Futaleufu River Valley, conserving the culture and environment of the region.