We are the fruit of the dream of Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado and Sebastião Salgado, who, faced with the environmental degradation of their family’s former cattle ranch, decided to restore the forest here and, in 1998, founded the Instituto Terra in Aimorés-MG. We received the title of RPPN (Private Natural Heritage Reserve), granted in an unprecedented way to an already degraded area, subject to a commitment to restore it.
We are located in the Doce River Basin, a region almost entirely covered by the Atlantic Rainforest. Although reduced to around 12% of its original size, this biome is considered a global biodiversity hotspot – which makes the ecosystem restoration work we’ve been doing for 26 years even more strategic.
The environmental conditions for this restoration are, however, extremely challenging: high temperatures, steep terrain, impoverished and compacted soils, silted bodies of water and long periods of drought, interrupted only briefly by summer storms. Faced with so many adversities, some believed it would be impossible to replant a forest here.
But we kept going – and we didn’t do it alone. Researchers, technicians, collaborators, advisors, partners and supporters have joined forces with us over the years to cultivate this young forest, where today more than 3 million trees grow. Along the way, three great allies have been particularly important in our history.
First of all, it’s the children and young people. Since 2005, with the creation of our Environmental Restoration Education Center (CERA), we have been developing environmental education, professional training and community awareness programs. The Terrinhas program, for example, continues to impact hundreds of students and teachers every year, bringing care for nature into classrooms and homes. The Ecosystem Restoration Studies Center (NERE) trains young people every year to work as Ecosystem Restoration Agents. And more recently, the Terra Jovens program has encouraged youth participation in the community life of the territory. More than the future, we believe that young people transform the present. They bring novelty and influence the daily lives of families, schools and communities. Their listening, courage and imagination are part of our strength.
The second is the animals. It wasn’t long before we began to witness the return of the local fauna: chauá parrots, jabutis, howler monkeys, collared anteaters, maned wolves, ocelots, pumas and many others. More than 200 species have already been identified here. As well as being an excellent environmental indicator, the return of the animals is a sign that the forest is alive – and ready to regenerate naturally.
The third is rural producers. Since 2010, with the launch of the Olhos D’Água Program, we have been working in partnership with rural families to recover springs and guarantee water security on their properties. Over time, the program has expanded to meet other rural needs, such as wastewater treatment, water and soil conservation and strengthening technical assistance. In this way, Olhos D’Água has consolidated itself as an award-winning water protection strategy for the Rio Doce basin, with more than 2,000 springs recovered in direct dialogue with local communities.
The success of this experience inspired the creation, in 2023, of the Terra Doce Program – an evolution of Olhos D’Água. In addition to protecting springs, it now includes the implementation of sustainable production systems such as agroforestry, silvopastoral systems, agroecological orchards and models adapted to the reality of each farmer. Terra Doce embodies the Terra Institute’s mission to “stimulate sustainable development through the recovery and conservation of forests, environmental education and the correct use of natural resources”. It does this by re-signifying the relationship between people, land, water and fauna, and fostering a cultural identity based on regeneration and sustainability.
As our actions expand across the Rio Doce basin, we also continue to strengthen our base in Aimorés-MG. In 2023, we acquired Fazenda Cantinho do Céu, an area adjacent to our RPPN and as degraded as it used to be. In 2024, the Maria Bonita, Chucha and Constância farms arrived. Today, Instituto Terra has a total area of 2,346 hectares – where we will continue planting for many years to come.
Each native seedling grown in our school nursery carries more than reforestation potential. It supports the training of environmental technicians. It awakens children’s curiosity. It protects the soil and recovers water for food production on farms. It shelters fauna. And one day, it will offer new seeds so that everything can begin again.
Our aim is to apply all the knowledge we have developed and refined over 26 years to these lands, strengthening the example that this forest represents. Here, we are consolidating a biodiversity hub for the Rio Doce valley and a living laboratory where a culture of restoration is cultivated every day.
Climate change is already a reality, and tackling it will be one of the greatest challenges of our time. We know that there will be uncertainties, setbacks and difficulties. But at such times, we invite the reader to remember what we are doing here – and the certainty that, even under the most adverse conditions, it is possible to restore the environment and communities.
All it takes is the courage to put the dream into practice. And the support of many allies.