In this powerful finale, I reveal the five revolutionary conservation principles that make Chile's Route of Parks a global blueprint for planetary healing. From tracking pumas with scientist Nicolás Lagos in Torres del Paine to discovering endangered huemul deer in a Patagonian snowstorm, this 1,700-mile conservation corridor spanning 17 national parks is transforming wildlife conservation and climate action. Learn why temperate rainforests store three times more carbon than the Amazon, explore groundbreaking puma coexistence research, and discover Darwin's rhea restoration programs across 28 million acres of protected wilderness. I announce Project Patagonia's three pillars: Listen (this podcast), Protect (supporting $20,000 for puma research), and Experience (my exclusive April 2026 Torres del Paine expedition). From ancient Alerce trees to innovative wetland protection, discover how corridor connectivity, indigenous co-management, and ecosystem restoration offer hope for addressing climate change and biodiversity loss worldwide. This conservation revolution proves that landscape-scale thinking, community partnerships, and sustainable tourism can heal damaged ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods. What conservation lesson resonated most with you? Drop me a note in the comments! Thanks for listening!

SERIES TITLE
Where the Wild Calls: A Journey through Patagonia's Route of Parks

EPISODE TITLE
Episode 8: Where Hope Flourishes: The Promise of Patagonia's Route of Parks

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 A Snowy Encounter in Patagonia
01:21 Introduction to the Journey
02:02 Close Encounters with Pumas
03:48 Darwin's Rhea Breeding Program
05:08 The Melting Glaciers
07:05 Interconnected Ecosystems
08:19 Conservation in Working Landscapes
09:05 A Blueprint for Planetary Healing
12:26 The Five Pillars of Conservation
16:21 Project Patagonia: How You Can Help
19:19 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

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!
May / June Path of the Puma by Jim Williams: https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY

Experience the stunning yet sobering reality of Patagonia's vanishing glaciers as I soar over Chile's massive ice fields and uncover groundbreaking climate research with Chilean glaciologist Dr. Ines Dussaillant. In this urgent episode, I explore the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields - covering over 16,500 square kilometers and representing the largest temperate ice masses in the Southern Hemisphere. Discover the alarming reality that five of the last six years have broken records for glacial mass loss, with some Patagonian glaciers retreating over 15 kilometers in just one century. Learn why these ancient ice formations serve as "sentinels of climate change," functioning as crucial water towers that sustain river systems across Chile and Argentina while storing massive amounts of fresh water. I was amazed to discover that Patagonia contains both the world's fastest-retreating glacier and fastest-growing glacier within the same ice field. From understanding why glacial ice appears that stunning blue color to exploring how satellite technology tracks ice loss across decades, this episode reveals the critical role glaciers play in global sea level rise and local water security. Dr. Dussaillant's recent Nature publication documents the accelerating pace of glacial retreat, while offering hope through Chile's emerging glacier protection laws and the Route of Parks conservation corridor. What spoke to you the most? Drop me a note in the comments! Thanks for listening!

SERIES TITLE
Where the Wild Calls: A Journey through Patagonia's Route of Parks

EPISODE TITLE
Episode 7: Where Ice Meets Sky: Patagonia's Vanishing Glaciers

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Awe-Inspiring Aerial Views of Patagonia
01:49 Introduction to Patagonia's Glaciers
02:54 Meeting Dr. Ines Dussaillant: A Glaciologist's Journey
05:59 Understanding Glaciers: Formation and Function
09:13 The Crucial Roles of Glaciers
11:18 Fieldwork and Satellite Observations
13:07 The Unique Glaciers of Patagonia
19:31 The Impact of Climate Change on Glaciers
23:08 Hope and Conservation Efforts
29:54 Join 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!
May / June Path of the Puma by Jim Williams: https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

LISTEN TO THE REWILDOLOGY PODCAST
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YXWSsF
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oW6artLcvxX0QoW1TCcrq?si=ff3b5e2ec90542a2

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
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CONTACTS
Brooke Mitchell, hello@rewildolgy.co...

Venture into Chile's Patagonia National Park, where I witnessed one of conservation's most inspiring comeback stories—the Darwin's rhea (Rhea pennata) rescued from the brink of local extinction. In this captivating episode, I explore the remote Aysén region and meet Alejandra Saavedra, who has dedicated eight years to bringing these remarkable flightless birds back from just 22 individuals to over 70 and counting. Journey with me through the ethereal marble caves of General Carrera Lake, across the dramatic spires of Cerro Castillo National Park, and into the golden grasslands of this 640,000-acre conservation success story that was once degraded ranch land. Discover how this revolutionary rewilding project began with an unexpected discovery by border police in 2014, leading to an innovative breeding program that has released 130 rheas into the wild. Learn about the critical ecological role these "nature's gardeners" play in the Patagonian steppe ecosystem, dispersing seeds and maintaining grassland health while serving as prey for apex predators like pumas. From the challenges of genetic diversity management to community engagement and ecosystem-wide restoration, this episode reveals the complex science behind modern conservation work. Witness how the transformation of Estancia Valle Chacabuco represents one of Earth's most ambitious habitat restoration projects, proving that with patience, dedication, and scientific rigor, we can repair damage to wild ecosystems one bird, one guanaco, one removed fence at a time. What did you think of this episode? 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 An Encounter with Birds Brought Back from the Brink
01:37 Welcome to Aysén: The Wild Heart of Patagonia
03:15 A Homestay at Cerro Castillo National Park
04:38 The Marvel of Marble Caves
06:01 Arrival at Patagonia National Park
07:22 How Patagonia National Park Came to be
09:56 The Darwin's Rhea: A Conservation Success Story
19:44 Challenges and Triumphs in Rhea Conservation
22:59 Reflections and Looking Ahead
24:26 A Call to Action: Join 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!
May / June Path of the Puma by Jim Williams: https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

LISTEN TO THE REWILDOLOGY PODCAST
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YXWSsF
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oW6artLcvxX0QoW1TCcrq?si=ff3b5e2ec90542a2

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/
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