Protected Area

The Nature Reserve of Saint Barthélemy is a testament to the island's commitment to preserving its rich underwater ecosystems and diverse marine life. This reserve, encompassing five distinct sectors, plays a crucial role in conserving coral reefs, seagrass beds, and many marine species. Located in the Caribbean Sea, Saint Barthélemy, or St. Barts, is an overseas collectivity of France renowned for its volcanic origins and encircling shallow reefs.

Saint Mary's Biosphere Reserve in Saint Kitts and Nevis is a diverse ecosystem with cloud forests, mangroves, and coral reefs. The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is at the center, showcasing the island's resilience and architectural grandeur. The reserve is home to a range of wildlife, maintaining ecological balance. It celebrates life's interconnectedness in this Caribbean paradise.

Nestled in the northeastern corner of the French side of the island of Saint Martin, the Saint-Martin National Nature Reserve is a pristine haven for the region's rich biodiversity and a true gem in the heart of the Caribbean. From its rocky coasts and cliffs to its vibrant coral reefs and mangrove forests, the Saint-Martin National Nature Reserve is a testament to the remarkable diversity of life in this tropical paradise.

Salar del Huasco National Park protects a high-Andean wetland that lies in the commune of Pica, in the Tarapacá Region of northern Chile, at about 3,800 m on the altiplano. The park covers the whole basin of the salar, about 1,500 sq km of steppe, bofedal wetlands, and shallow lagoons that Chile's environment ministry has described as one of the most pristine wetlands in the altiplano and an important water reserve in the driest desert on Earth.

Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve are located on the island of Saint Croix. The protected area preserves upland watersheds, mangrove forests and marine environments. It also contains the only known site where a Columbus expedition set foot on what is now U.S. territory.

Situated in the foothills of the Argentine Andes, San Carlos de Bariloche offers a striking combination of natural beauty and cultural richness. Located on the clear shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche is surrounded by some of Patagonia's most breathtaking mountains and lakes. As part of the more expansive Nahuel Huapi National Park, the region attracts visitors worldwide, offering a unique blend of outdoor activities, historical landmarks, and distinct architectural charm.

Nestled within the rugged folds of Argentina's San Juan Province, the San Guillermo National Park and Biosphere Reserve stand as a testament to the remarkable biodiversity and cultural heritage of the high Andes. This vast protected area encompasses a mosaic of mountain systems, highland grasslands, and arid landscapes, offering a unique glimpse into the delicate balance between nature and human communities.

Nestled in the Honduran department of Choluteca, the San Marcos de Colón Biosphere Reserve emerges as a captivating expanse that seamlessly blends ecological diversity with cultural richness. The unique climatic conditions, influenced by a history of agricultural deforestation and higher altitudes, create a temperate environment, fostering a mosaic of ecosystems.

Los Flamencos National Reserve protects seven non-contiguous sectors of salt flat, wetland, and high-Andean desert across Chile's Atacama region. Home to all three of Chile's flamingo species, the reserve also sits atop one of the world's largest lithium deposits, making it a focal point of an ongoing conflict between conservation, Indigenous water rights, and global battery-mineral demand.

Deep within the heart of Ecuador's Andean region lies a natural wonder of epic proportions—Sangay National Park—this World Heritage Site epitomes Ecuador's extraordinary biodiversity and geological marvels. Encompassing two active volcanoes, Tungurahua and Sangay, as well as the extinct El Altar (Kapak Urku), this park covers the entire spectrum of Ecuador's ecosystems, from glacial peaks to lush rainforests, all under the watchful gaze of one of the world's most active volcanic giants.