Beyond the “Yellowstone Model:” The Origins of National Parks in Brazil and Argentina

National parks in Brazil and Argentina emerged not as isolated conservation efforts but as products of complex interactions between conservation goals and colonial legacies. Unlike the 'Yellowstone Model,' which prioritized pristine wilderness, these parks reflected local political, social, and ecological dynamics. Kaltmeier and Freitas analyze how Iguazu National Park, straddling the Brazil-Argentina border, exemplifies this entangled history, blending indigenous land use, scientific conservation, and geopolitical interests. Their review synthesizes two books—Kaltmeier's National Parks from North to South and Freitas' Nationalizing Nature—revealing how colonial narratives shaped modern conservation practices in the region.

Kaltmeier, O., & Freitas, F. (2021). Beyond the “Yellowstone Model:” The Origins of National Parks in Brazil and Argentina. Historia Ambiental Latinoamericana Y Caribeña (HALAC) Revista de La Solcha, 11(3), 400–410. https://doi.org/10.32991/2237-2717.2021v11i3.p400-410