Alihuen means Big Tree in the language of the indigenous Mapuche peoples of Chile (Mapudungun). When Jeroen decided to settle in the rural Chepu province of Chiloe with his wife Grecia this name was not taken lightly, for the farmland which it would represent has undertaken massive transformation from pasture to thriving forest.

Alihuen is managed using permaculture principles to undertake sustainable organic agriculture while at the same time working towards large scale conservation measures to improve biodiversity and landscape connectivity in the region. They are rapidly approaching 45,000 trees planted on Alihuen and the effects are noticeable – the Pudu, the worlds second smallest deer and a relatively rare and shy creature, are regularly found on the property. Sightings of bird species dependant on connected forest areas have increased as Alihuen begins to form a bridge between the North of Chiloe and the large forested areas of the Chepu river and both Parque Ahuenco and Parque Nacional Chiloe to the South and West.

Alihuen is truly land that connects. A cursory glance demonstrates the obvious improvement in landscape connectivity through the reforestation projects undertaken on Alihuen. However, it is also a case study in sociocultural connectivity as it acts as a conduit and inspiration for artists, students, agrarians, artisans and the community at large.

- Our FARM -

Located in the Chepu region of Chiloé, Chile’s “Magic Island” at the north end of Chilean Patagonia, we practice and teach conservation, permaculture, organic agriculture and ecotourism at Alihuen. Through these sustainable approaches to land management, we are returning exhausted pasture land to its native abundance as a thriving forest.

Our goal with the farm is to one day reconnect the forests of northern Chiloé with the large forested areas of the Chepu River and the Chiloé National Park to the south. In the past 19 years, we have planted about 45,000 native trees in an effort to reforest the “lost” forest and connect isolated forest patches to the adjacent national park; creating passages for wildlife.

- Our Family -

From all over the world, the Alihuen community now includes a family of individuals from 15 countries, many different backgrounds and cultures, and multiple interests and characteristics.

Our community isn’t limited just to the volunteers who come to us through the World Wide Oportunities on Organic Farms WWOOF and Workaway, but also through national organizations including Red de Iniciativas de Conservación Privada Chiloé, Escuela Alla Mapu , Fundación Nucleo Nativo, Chile’s National Forest Service CONAF, Tierra Austral Foundation, Fundación El Toldo and Paisaje y Conservación Ancud

What unites the community that has grown around Alihuen is an interest in learning and spreading the key themes behind permaculture and sustainability. Using their various skills and talents, these volunteers have each left their mark on Alihuen to make it what it is today.

- Support Our Project -
THE ACCESSIBILITY TRAIL

If adventure is that idea of doing just one thing differently than you would have done before, then why not offer that opportunity to everyone who wants to seek it? Alihuen’s Accessibility Trail is a reminder that we are all capable of seeking something beyond ourselves.

Regardless of age, ability, or capacity, Alihuen’s Accessibility Trail offers just that. The trail blends the rare beauty of Chiloe (Chile’s “Magic Island”) with the accessibility and inclusivity rarely found within many of Chile’s natural parks.  The Alihuen ecofarm is built on a foundation of sustainability, education, and community outreach, which has created a new standard for reforestation and permaculture within Chile (and abroad, too!).

In doing so, we’re working to create a local movement powered by local and international supporters alike that brings to life environmental education, organic farming, water conservation, and ecotourism in Chile.

So, in 2021 we expanded our programming to be more inclusive with Alihuen’s Accessibility Trail, which aims to disable the label of adventure and redefine what access to the outdoors means…for everyone.

If you would like to make a donation:

BNP Paribas Fortis BE63 2300 3915 7708     Jeroen Beuckels       BIC GEBABEBB

In 2023, thanks to the signing of a ´Derecho Real de Conservación´ agreement, our terrain of 70 hectares which is part of the Wetlands Nature Sanctuary ‘Santuario de la Naturaleza Humedales de la Cuenca de Chepu´ will be protected forever.

The Foundation Tierra Austral was founded in 2012 as one of Chile’s first land trusts. Their organization is dedicated to working with private landholders and other public and private stakeholders to create practical tools and strategies that help landowners take voluntary action to protect the conservation values inherent to their properties.

Every Spring, Summer and Fall we receive volunteers. In this link: pdf file volunteering you can find information about being a volunteer at Alihuen. We only take in volunteers that are part of the WWOOF Chile or Workaway programs.

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Our place

Alihuen Sendero Accesible
Chepu, Chiloé

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