Home in the Argentinian city of Bariloche, the organisation mainly acts in the unique natural environment in Nahuel Huapi National Park and its surroundings. Promoting the conduct of outdoor recreational activities with environmental responsibility, the project fosters the conservation of nature, and generates outreach content with clear and concise information on best practices for mountaineers, hikers, and climbers.

The “Clean Mountains” campaign was initiated by the Club Andino Bariloche in 1988. One year later, the Municipality of Bariloche recognized the project at the municipal level and added the concept of “Clean Coasts”. After 36 editions, the campaign resumed in 2025 with a new format thanks to the support of various institutions in the local community, such as Red Pinos (Participatory Governance against the Invasion of Exotic Species) and the NGO Circuito Verde, among others. It now became the “Clean and Green Mountains” campaign (“Montañas limpias y verdes” in Spanish) purposefully contrasting the grey of the burned forests, adding to its title and concept the prevention of forest fires.

In this sense, to the original project purpose of responsible waste management (bringing back the waste generated during mountain excursions, separating different types of waste at the source, and recycling at the final disposal), messaging that directly addresses the prevention of fires caused by improperly extinguished campfires has been added. Furthermore, the 2025 edition, saw the inclusion of the concern about the invasion of exotic species that threaten natural biodiversity, focusing on northern hemisphere pine species that represent the paradigm of biological invasion in the Andean-Patagonian forests. It has been mentioned that the transit through mountain trails has facilitated the entry of exotic species into the native forest.

Clean and Green Mountains reinforces its mission by integrating scientific knowledge, environmental education, and citizen participation. With an updated approach, it seeks not only to inform but also to transform the habits of those who live in and visit the region, promoting a harmonious coexistence with nature.

The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of conserving and protecting mountain ecosystems. Through concrete and participatory actions, the organisation seeks to actively involve the community in the preservation of these vital natural environments for future generations. The proposal combines environmental education with sustainable initiatives and responsible practices in response to current ecological challenges.

Ideas are conveyed through brochures, posters, and open talks, but fundamentally through the implementation of field interventions that call for volunteers. The approach to educating the local community in general is based on the idea that the environmental issues addressed require the involvement of civil society in a horizontal manner. The strength of the message is enhanced with on-the-ground actions, such as garbage collection, the removal of illegal bonfires, and the manual removal of wild pine saplings invading the native forest.

The “Clean and Green Mountains” project is based on voluntary citizen participation. The city of Bariloche is surrounded by the Nahuel Huapi National Park, and the mountains and lakes are omnipresent for the local community, not only as shapers of the everyday landscape, but also as areas of recreation and cultural value. Beyond the usual practitioners of various mountain sports disciplines, practically all the inhabitants of the region have a direct coexistence with the environment. This is why a broad and general environmentalist message is well-received and reflected in the determined participation of volunteers.