At Swoop, we are firm believers in the power of travelling for good. Since the company was founded in 2010, we have tried to ensure our actions as a company are fully aligned with that belief. Swoop has always been an advocate for our destination at the ends of the Earth and it’s critical that we actively help protect these unique environments.
With this in mind, I am very proud as Swoop’s Sustainability Manager to announce the creation of the Swoop Conservation Fund to prioritise both people and the planet.
This year Swoop completed the rigorous process of becoming B Corp certified. B Corps are businesses that put a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility on an equal footing with its financial success. To achieve this, Swoop was audited on five sustainability pillars: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers (you can read more about Swoop’s B Corp journey on our website).
As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, the Swoop Conservation Fund aims to provide support to organisations creating significant positive impact in the unique regions that we travel to. We’ve worked hard to select meaningful organisations that not only contribute to conservation but also education, biodiversity and the long term sequestration of CO2 from the atmosphere. The organisations we’ve selected complement each other to ensure that our conservation fund creates the biggest impact and the most additional benefits possible.
The Swoop Conservation Fund will initially support two organisations in Patagonia and also two in the Antarctic region to support conservation in the destinations we visit as Swoop Antarctica.
The organisations we are proud for Swoop to be supporting are Rewilding Chile and Legado Chile. In Antarctica we will be supporting the South Georgia Heritage Trust and the Polar Citizen Science Collective.
Rewilding Chile
Rewilding Chile is a non-profit offshoot of the highly respected Tompkins Conservation, which has been working for nearly three decades in Patagonia to confront the eco-social crisis caused by biodiversity loss, climate change, and human disconnection from nature. As their name suggests, Rewilding Chile is dedicated to the restoration and conservation of ecosystems in the country through rewilding initiatives.
This involves working on habitat restoration, the reintroduction of native species and promoting biodiversity to enhance the resilience of natural landscapes. In doing so, they aim to create balanced and self-sustaining ecosystems, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and the overall health of Chile’s natural environment.
Tompkins Conservation pioneered the creation of new national parks across Patagonia, and Rewilding Chile is continuing that vision. They are currently in the process of establishing Cape Froward National Park in Magallanes province in the far south of Chilean Patagonia, around 40 miles (62km) from Punta Arenas.
Cape Froward will be the only national park in Chile that contains both terrestrial and marine habitats. Its forests are the southernmost continental habitat of the rare huemul deer, while its waters provide rich feeding grounds for humpback whales. The park also has a huge range of flora and fauna that provide crucial contributions to global biodiversity.
Critically, tenth of the park is also peatland, an important carbon sink. Despite covering only about 3% of Earth’s surface, 30% of all land-based carbon is stored in peatlands. This is twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined.
Swoop & Rewilding Chile
Establishing the Cape Froward National Park will help to conserve this unique habitat for future generations. At Swoop we are passionate believers in responsible tourism and the creation of national parks is a key way to contribute to this. As well as the sustainable income opportunities that accompany tourism in Patagonia’s national parks, protecting those ecosystems that play such a vital role in the carbon cycle is important for Swoop as we take strides to to balance the emissions associated with our business.
Supporting the conservation efforts of Rewilding Chile, including the restoration of wetlands and the protection of its marine kelp forests, are an important way of creating that balance. These regions are home to huge amounts of biodiversity, and are critical in helping to reduce the human burden on earth’s environmental systems.
Legado Chile Foundation
Working in the picturesque landscapes of the Llanquihue Province in the Chilean Lake District, the Legado Chile Foundation creates impactful conservation, habitat restoration and education programs in the Maullín River basin and Lake Llanquihue areas. They work with both local communities and government on initiatives that reflect a profound dedication to fostering sustainable practices and nurturing a harmonious relationship between people and environment.
One of Legado Chile’s flagship programs is centred around wetland restoration, conservation, and management; offering potential volunteer opportunities for individuals eager to contribute to environmental preservation. The foundation provides environmental training to local residents, empowering them to actively participate in the protection of wetlands. Additionally, Legado Chile extends its influence into architectural sustainability by offering advice and guidance on green architecture, emphasising the importance of integrating eco-friendly practices into community development.
Through school programs, Legado Chile engages students in an immersive learning experience about nature to foster a deep appreciation for the environment, including mental and physical health awareness training tailored for young children. Beyond the classroom, Legado Chile delves into regenerative agriculture training, providing local communities with the knowledge and tools to cultivate land sustainably. Their conscious consumer education efforts also underscore the foundation’s dedication to creating a community that is not only environmentally conscious but also actively involved in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.
Swoop & Legado Chile
The foundation’s focus on wetland restoration and conservation stands out for its vital role in preserving ecological balance, especially in an area identified as a hotspot for bird species. Not only does this promote biodiversity, but, both the wetlands and woodland restoration helps to absorb carbon emissions from the atmosphere. The Legado Chile Foundation significantly contributes to biodiversity preservation whilst also involving and empowering local communities in conservation and rewilding efforts, aligning seamlessly with our values.
What sets Legado Chile Foundation apart and resonates strongly with Swoop’s values is the emphasis on community involvement. By actively engaging local communities, the foundation contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and also empowers residents to take an active role in environmental stewardship. This holistic approach perfectly mirrors our belief in responsible tourism, where the benefits extend beyond the natural world to include a variety of social benefits and opportunities. Swoop is proud to support the Legado Chile Foundation as they continue to make a lasting positive impact.
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