Roots of resistance: Defending Chile's oldest tree

Deep in the rainforests of southern Chile stands a tree that was a long-kept secret: now over 5,000 years old and nicknamed the "Great Grandfather". The alerce tree and the entire ecosystem are under threat from a planned highway that for the authorities presents a dilemma between economic development and environmental protection. For Jonathan Barichivich and his mother Nancy Henríquez Vivanco, the ancient tree is part of the family; Jonathan's grandfather discovered the specimen many years ago while he was a ranger in the Alerce Costero national park. Scientists and researchers are fighting to stop the highway, which the government says is vital for making isolated communities accessible. Will its opponents succeed before it's too late?

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