Private Land Ownership as a Means of Rainforest Protection: Conflict Over Parque Pumalin in Chile Jared Margolis, 2001 This paper was prepared as part of a seminar on Environmental Conflict Resolution, led by Dr. Saleem H. Ali (saleem@alum.mit.edu) Watson Institute for International Studies Brown University, Providence, RI, USA, Spring, 2002 Introduction The rapid loss of South American rainforest within the past two decades has spawned a plethora of organizations and conservation minded millionaires to buy up large amounts of wild lands for preservation. Due to groups such as BuyThe Rainforest.net and individuals like fashion industry tycoon and philanthropist Doug Tompkins, millions of acres have been saved through private and NGO holdings. This paper will focus on the conflict that arises between these private land holdings (Specifically Parque Pumalin located in central Chile) and the local people, as well as national governments in the rainforest regions. I am studying this topic in order to analyze and determine the effectiveness of private landholdings as a means of rainforest preservation. Why do governments in South America feel threatened by foreign private landowners interested in preservation? How can the conflict that arises from private land holdings be mitigated through economic development? What are the opportunities for land preservation, and is private