Almahue-Forest

ALMAHUE — THE PROJECT

Almahue was born in Patagonia in 2022 with one ambition: to gradually restore a territory and recreate the conditions that allow nature to develop over the long term.

Initially, our approach focused primarily on tree planting and carbon sequestration.

Through our experience in the field, our vision has broadened considerably.

OUR PURPOSE TODAY

Creating the conditions for nature to rebuild itself sustainably.

A sustainable ecosystem is not defined simply by the number of trees planted. Water, soil, forest, natural regeneration and biodiversity are all part of the same system.

Our ambition is to work simultaneously on these different elements in order to improve the ecosystem’s resilience and long-term sustainability.

WHY THE INITIAL CARBON MODEL WAS NOT ENOUGH

Originally, a significant part of the project’s future funding was expected to come from carbon credits.

However, trees grow slowly in Patagonia, and their sequestration capacity develops over several decades. In addition, young trees require additional water during their first years, mainly during their first two summers.

The potential financial return is simply too far away to fund current needs. Carbon retains long-term value, but cannot constitute our economic model on its own.

This experience led us to evolve and adapt our approach.

OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE: WATER

Rainfall is limited and concentrated in certain periods. In summer, there is practically no rain.

Our objective is therefore to retain more water in the landscape, for longer, so that it can benefit the soil, vegetation and biodiversity.

We are developing three complementary types of water projects: water channels to slow runoff and encourage infiltration; ponds to retain water and create new habitats; and small dams where the terrain allows.

FROM PLANTING TO ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION

Between 2022 and 2025, we planted more than 16,000 trees, representing more than 15 species, with guidance from INTA, Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology.

These first years were also a period of experimentation and learning.

Since 2026, our work has been organised around four complementary areas:

Water • Forest • Natural Regeneration • Biodiversity

In some areas, we are already observing the natural regeneration of Patagonian Cypress and Ñire.

Sometimes, our best intervention is simply to provide nature with the conditions it needs to regenerate itself.

BIODIVERSITY

Restoring an ecosystem also requires understanding how it evolves.

We want to gradually map biodiversity and monitor changes in the territory’s fauna and flora.

A scientific monitoring methodology will be established from 2027 onwards to measure these changes over time.

We also wish to directly support biodiversity, particularly through the installation of beehives. A first partner has already committed to funding the launch of this initiative.

HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

Rather than asking people to support one large, abstract project, we offer concrete environmental actions at different scales.

You do not need to fund an entire project. Every contribution becomes part of one of these concrete actions, while partners who wish to do so can fund a complete project.

Partners can choose the area that best matches their priorities.

WATER

Help us retain water in the landscape so that it remains available for soil, vegetation, wildlife and young trees.

Water channels
Feasibility, design and implementation: USD 2,400–2,700 per km.
Minimum project: 3 km, representing approximately USD 7,200–8,100.

Ponds and small dams
Projects are designed according to the terrain, location and size.
Cost determined individually for each project.

Water storage
10 containers of 1,000 litres and 5 containers of 5,000 litres.

Objectives: local irrigation, livestock and fire protection.

Estimated cost including transport: USD 6,000–7,000.

REGENERATION & PROTECTION

Natural regeneration is already taking place in several areas of Almahue.

Our objective is to protect these areas and create the conditions that allow young trees and vegetation to develop naturally.

We currently have three concrete projects:

1. Protect a natural regeneration area — USD 2,400

Protect approximately 1 hectare where young Patagonian Cypress trees are already regenerating naturally, giving them the opportunity to develop without disturbance.

2. Create and protect a 2-hectare native forest — USD 13,960

In May 2027, we plan to plant approximately 800 native trees over 2 hectares, combining Patagonian Cypress, Ñire and Araucaria.

Planting: USD 4,960

1.80-metre-high protective fencing: USD 9,000

Total project cost: USD 13,960

3. Create 5 km of cattle fencing — USD 20,000

Approximately 80 cattle currently roam freely across Almahue.

Building 5 km of fencing will allow us to keep cattle within defined areas and reduce grazing pressure elsewhere.

This will give young trees and vegetation a better opportunity to regenerate naturally in areas no longer continuously grazed by cattle.

Sometimes restoration means planting. Sometimes it means protecting what is already growing. And sometimes it simply means giving nature more space.

MINI-FORESTS

Help create new mixed forests, primarily using native species such as Patagonian Cypress and Ñire, with the composition adapted to the soil, the history of the land and seedling availability.

Approximately 400 trees per hectare.

Indicative cost for 1 hectare:

Without fencing: USD 2,480

With approximately 1-metre-high fencing: USD 4,980

With 1.80-metre-high fencing: USD 6,980

Larger mini-forests of 5 or 10 hectares can also be developed.

Each mini-forest will carry a name chosen by the partner who makes its creation possible, creating a lasting connection between that person, family or organisation and the landscape.

BIODIVERSITY

Help us establish a scientific baseline for Almahue’s fauna, flora and habitats and monitor their evolution over time.

Our proposed first reference project is the scientific mapping of 500 hectares.

Estimated 2027 cost: USD 8,000–10,000, subject to confirmation once the scientific monitoring protocol has been finalised.

We are also developing initiatives that directly support biodiversity, particularly beehives and pollination.

A first partner has already committed to funding the launch of this initiative.

A PROJECT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Almahue is not a project designed to exist for just a few years.

We plant for a future we may never see.

The trees we plant or protect today may remain part of the landscape long after we are gone.

The water systems we create can help vegetation establish itself. Areas protected today can become tomorrow’s forests and habitats.

Our ambition is simple:

to leave future generations with an ecosystem that is richer, more diverse and more resilient than the one we found.