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When world-renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado returned to his homeland in Brazil in the late 1990s, he was devastated. The lush forest of his childhood had turned into a barren, dry wasteland. Years of deforestation and cattle ranching had completely destroyed the natural ecosystem.
Emotionally exhausted after documenting war and famine across Africa, Salgado realized that the only way to heal himself—and the land—was to bring life back to it. Together with his wife, Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado, he embarked on a mission that seemed almost impossible: to restore the Atlantic Forest.
Instituto Terra — The Birth of Hope
In 1998, the couple founded Instituto Terra, which became their life’s work. They transformed their family farm, Fazenda Bulcão, into a Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) — the first time in Brazil that such a status was granted to degraded land.
Their goal was not just to plant trees but to revive an entire ecosystem. That meant choosing only native species, restoring water sources, bringing back birds and wildlife, and involving local communities and young generations in the process.
Results That Amazed the World
After more than two decades of work, the achievements of Instituto Terra are breathtaking:
- Over 2.7 million trees from nearly 300 different species planted;
- More than 550 acres (225 hectares) of forest restored;
- Over 2,000 natural springs revived, refilling rivers and streams with water;
- 172 bird species (including 6 endangered), 33 mammals, 15 amphibians, and 15 reptiles have returned.
What was once a dead and desolate land is now a thriving, living forest — one of the most successful reforestation projects in the world.
More Than Trees — Education and the Future
Instituto Terra goes far beyond replanting trees. It has become a model for science, education, and community development:
- A nursery capable of growing up to 1 million seedlings per year;
- Educational programs reaching more than 65,000 people, including hundreds of teachers and students;
- The “Olhos D’Água” program helps farmers protect water sources across 28 municipalities;
- Children participate in the “Terrinhas” project, learning to love and protect nature from an early age.
A Global Inspiration
Sebastião Salgado once said:
“The land was as sick as I was. We both needed healing. Today, the land is healthy — and so am I.”
This story proves that human determination can truly change the world. Instituto Terra has not only revived one region in Brazil but has become a global example of ecological restoration, showing that patience and perseverance can bring nature back even where it once seemed lost forever.
The couple’s work continues to inspire thousands of people around the world. Their journey reminds us that every seed is a symbol of hope, and that reforestation is one of the most powerful solutions to climate change and the depletion of natural resources.
Sebastião and Lélia Salgado proved that where humans destroy, they can also restore. 🌱🌍
