Puente Verde, a Wilderness Connection

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To reach this place, one must travel almost 30 kilometers from the heart of Andresito, a town in northern Misiones, located 350 kilometers away from Posadas. The unpaved road winds through yerba mate plantations, a handful of farms, a few schools, and increasingly scattered houses. Rainforest. A vast rainforest. At the end of this long road lies a new natural reserve. Its name reflects its key ecological role situated on the Andresito Peninsula: Puente Verde serves as a “wilderness connection”, between Iguazú National Park and the serene Iguazú River, which flows upstream from the world-famous waterfalls located 70 kilometers downstream and the National Park on the Brazilian side of the river, in addition to other nine provincial and privately protected areas.

Spanning 183 hectares of pristine rainforest, this reserve was bought by Aves Argentinas, the oldest environmental organization in Latin-America, with the aim of restoring a connection between the parks and ensuring the survival of the extraordinary flora and fauna of the region, with the iconic palo rosa (Aspidosperma polyneuron) and palmito (palm heart).

More than 282 bird species have been identified here —over 50% of the total bird species in Misiones— along with tapirs, monkeys, rodents, snakes and the legendary yaguareté (local jaguar).Hidden cameras and local residents have spotted numerous animals roaming the area. Their roars, claim the park rangers, echo from deep within the rainforest. The pájaro campana (bare-throated bellbird), a bird once thought extinct in Misiones, can also be heard. Soon, a maracaná de lomo rojo (red-shouldered macaw) will be introduced. Rescued and rehabilitated at the Güira Oga Wildlife Hospital, this parrot is part of an ambitious effort to establish a stable population of a species that had disappeared from Misiones. This initiative seeks to restore a natural monument to its former glory.

Puente Verde is part of a broader initiative: a biological corridor in Andresito spanning 5,300 hectares, out of which 3,574 hectares are woods, and 1,700 hectares consist of farms owned by people committed to preserving the rainforest. This effort is supported by a municipal program offering tax exemptions in exchange for rainforest preservation. One section runs along the Iguazú river, while the other surrounds Foerster Provincial Park and the Urugua-í Provincial Park. On both sides of the town a distinctive trend emerges —a growing commitment to preservation, from small plots to vast tracts of land.

Puente Verde is surrounded by farms that are also dedicated to the preservation of the rainforest, such as the Surucuá Lodge and Guayakí, the latter known for producing organic yerba mate. These efforts support more than 20 direct job positions in this remote area of the province where in addition to preserving the rainforest, an ambitious species restoration plan is underway, focusing on creatures like the loro vinoso (vinacious parrot) and the jacutinga, as well as trees like the loro negro or the cedro (cedar). A large nursery cultivates various species for reseeding the rainforest and distributing among local residents who wish to participate in rewilding initiatives.A tree can take from ten to fifty years to reach its full height. Those working at Puente Verde will likely never see the fruits of their labor. However, Hugo Cámara, one of the founders of Puente Verde reflects: “Restoration is an activity of hope for the future.” At the age of 63, he radiates a youthful passion for his work —a deep love for nature. Julián, a 24-year-old young worker from Entre Ríos, shares that same enthusiasm. As one of the caretakers of the reserve and its nursery, he has been living in the heart of the rainforest for months. Julián arrived in Misiones five years ago to study at the Forest Ranger School in San Pedro. Now a local farm owner, he has no plans of leaving. He feels he is a neighbor of nearby farms.

Cámara explained, “Conservation is a medium to a long-term process. Puente Verde is not only dedicated to preserving and monitoring biodiversity, but also serves as an attraction for tourists, particularly birdwatchers, in northern Misiones due to its well-maintained infrastructure and rainforest trails for tours. We also provide information to visitors. While we do not offer accommodation, there is a camping site available exclusively for members of Aves Argentinas. We are working on an extened public-use project to compete fully in the regional tourism market, but that will take time. In conclusion, this reserve is focused on preservation and restoring, while supporting the regional tourism development, primarily by hosting guests who visit the area for birdwatching and photography.”

Birds are the main attraction, but larger mammals can also be observed —though spotting them is considerably more challenging. “It gives you the creeps,” Julián whispers, referring to the “real king of the jungle”: the yaguareté, whose presence is felt even when it remains out of sight. With his finely trained ear, the young ranger has heard its calls many times —at night, deep in the rainforest, near the river, the yaguareté has also been captured on hidden cameras. Puente Verde is home to a wide array of species in addition to the yaguareté, such as tapirs, agoutis, tapetis (native rabbits), peccaries and various monkey species.

Julián feels at ease in the rainforest. Having grown up surrounded by nature, thanks to his father, who was also a forest ranger. “I want to dedicate my life to preservation. I fell in love with Misiones. Birds are my passion,” he explains. This passion also draws in numerous volunteers who assist with fieldwork such as transplanting seedlings from the nursery to the rainforest and monitoring of hidden cameras.

Camara highlights, “Puente Verde has become a hub of attraction; we draw in talented individuals, investors, as well as sustainable businesses, particularly in tourism. However, one of our greatest achievements has been turning the Andresito Peninsula into a unique and noteworthy place —a focal point that captures people’s attention.” The total area of the “Peninsula de Andresito” corridor spans 5,276 hectares divided into 68 plots, each averaging 77.5 hectares.

Our goal is to establish Puente Verde as a focal point of the local Bio-Corridor, an initiative conceived by the municipality of Andresito that involves numerous landowners committed to protecting their rainforest plots. The Andresito Peninsula is like a wedge of land that extends into the Brazilian National Park, surrounding the river. Conservation is paramount. “The peninsula has always been something special to everyone. We need to work towards making landowners feel proud that their plot is part of a preservation project. Not everyone wants a yaguareté roaming their land; some may see it as a catastrophe, while others might take pride in it”, the specialist explains.

Moreoever, landowners have the option to pursue restoration alongside preservation. This entails additional efforts such as planting, maintaining, and the clearing of invasive vegetation —primarily elephant grass— to make way for native species.

After planting a tree, you have to wait 50 years for it to fully grow. How does that make you feel? “Restoration is an act of hope, an act of faith. Many of us, especially those who are older, may never see the results. Yet it remains a genuine, long-term commitment —a legacy, in a sense. That is what restoration is about. However, it is important to recognize that restoring the environment in a protected area is one thing, but restoration can also be achieved in productive areas. These can include fruit trees that contribute to sustainable production,” the specialist explains.

The palmito is one of such trees being sustainably harvested. Without cutting it down, its pulp can be extracted, and its fruits used to make jams and sauces.

Despite his extensive field experience, Cámara lights up when talking about the rainforest. “It’s a breathtaking environment, like some kind of superorganism that is self-sufficient. The most remarkable thing about the rainforest is how comprehensive it is —that constant rain of leaves that gives the ground its unique character, and that inner flow of energy. It feels like a superorganism functioning entirely on its own,” he explains.

That commitment towards the rainforest is in line with his other passion: music. “I am a musician, and when you begin to learn about the great folk or popular Argentine music composers, you realize they’re all connected to nature or the rainforest. The rainforest is a fundamental part of Misiones’ identity. Therefore, I believe anyone who loves their province, their land, and its landscape should, in some way, contribute to its preservation. If you lose the referents, you lose the culture. Why are you going to talk about something that doesn’t exist anymore? Over time, it will fade from your vocabulary, and no one will remember what it once was.”Puente Verde is there to prevent anyone from forgetting its existence. It is the tip of a larger green corridor. Andresito is as much about yerba mate as it is about rainforest —a rainforest that restores it natural opulence through both silent and invisible traces.