Twenty years ago we became involved with the protection of our home: the vast patagonian steppe. Less than a year went by with Carlos as a Park Ranger at Punta Tombo, when the Magellanic penguins faced the worst threat to their lives, as there was a project to slaughter 48.000 penguins a year to make suade out of their thick skins. As a journalist Carlos spread the news and luckily this was stopped. He almost lost his job those days, but -after those troubled moments- he was rewarded with the Diploma de Honor by the Sociedad Protectora de Animales.
When founding Causana Viajes we continued with the same philosophy, collaborating and actively participarting with conservation of nature doing as much as possible towards the Protection and Conservation of such a unique place.
Since then we developed a serious effort to practice Responsible and Sustainable tourism. Despite the general use of words and principles used mainly for marketing purpoises, we really work for nature’s benefit and local communties.
Causana Viajes has donated a small contribution per person towards research of the Orca population of Peninsula Valdes, research directed by Juan Carlos Lopez. While attending to a client of Causana Viajes he initiated his actual Fundación Orca.
Next we focussed on purchasing a piece of land that would protect the Coastal Steppe. While I was guiding a group for the Massachusetts Audubon Society lead by Gerry Bertrand (actual President of Birdlife International) I asked if they would be interested in helping purchasing such a property. Carlos and I started the search. The ideal place showed up in May 2000 and was purchased by the WLT (World Land Trust), from UK and handed over to the FPN (Fundacion Patagonia Natural) – a local NGO – to manage it.
Relations with the FPN go further to that, as we have donated generous sums each year to this organization, and have asigned them as Host Institution for several educational tours to Argentina and Antartica.
The message below received in 2005 after co-organizing an Antarctica expediction which raised 7.000 u$d for penguin research, encourages us to keep on going…
- From: P. Dee Boersma: “Wild places, wildlife and conservation depend on protection, preservation, and education. Carol Passera and Causana made their business part of the conservation solution.
They give back to nature.
I wish all forms of tourism donated some of their profits back to protecting nature and fostering conservation.
Causana is a leader in what should become standard practice”.
P. Dee Boersma, Ph.D. Associate Chair Dept. of Biology University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195-1800
- From Winging It – the bimonthly newsletter from the American Birding Association published in their March/April 2005 issue: ”...In short, the Passeras do it all in the realm of bird conservation: from children’s education to professional research, from promoting market-based bird conservation to spearheading activism against market-based extermination of birds, from working with government to waking it up. They’re typical of a breed of resourceful South American conservationists who find ways to turn meager resources into stunning victories for birds”.
Deeply convinced that tourism can make a significant contribution to protect nature, Causana Viajes continues chasing the dream of providing new generations with the necessary skills and resources to work in harmony with Nature.