Comandante Andresito: a corridor between forest, community, and local policies in Argentina
In the far north of Misiones, within the Atlantic Forest, the municipality of Comandante Andresito has become a benchmark for how conservation can emerge from the local level.
Working with our national partner Aves Argentinas, with technical support from BirdLife International and funding from the Hempel Foundation, the Andresito Corridor demonstrates that it is possible to integrate forest conservation into land-use planning as an asset for community development.
A local policy that recognizes the value of the forest
The municipality has taken an innovative step by designing and approving a local ordinance that makes conservation an economically viable decision. Through tax incentives, tax exemptions are granted to those who maintain native forest on their properties, recognizing its ecological value and motivating rural producers to protect it. As a result, conservation is no longer seen as a restriction but is consolidated as a legitimate public policy that benefits the entire community.
A social and technical network that supports the corridor
Beyond the regulatory framework, the success of the corridor is reflected in the diversity of actors that make it possible. In 2024, voluntary agreements were established with nine producers, allowing for the conservation of more than 480 hectares of forest. El Puente Verde Reserve nursery increased its production to more than 6,500 seedlings of 43 native species, while the installation of 11 camera traps and the launch of a citizen science platform on iNaturalist strengthen monitoring and social participation.
This network of actions combines productive practices with restoration adapted to local conditions and is supported by a diverse group of technicians, teachers, farmers, park rangers, young people, and community leaders, all committed to the conservation of the Atlantic Forest in Andresito.
Lessons for the region
This project shows that ecological corridors are not only spaces for biological connectivity, but also social, legal, and collective processes that require long-term vision. Its model offers valuable lessons for other municipalities in Misiones and the region: with clear incentives, technical support, and a shared narrative, conservation can be consolidated as part of a territory’s future.
