Photographer and Spouse Plant 2 Million Trees Over Two Decades, Restoring a Devastated Forest and Welcoming Back Wildlife

Sebastião Salgado, a famous photographer, and his wife, Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado, began an inspiring journey twenty years ago to promote environmental conservation. Their story showcases resilience, determination, and the incredible impact of reforestation.

Their mission addresses a serious problem: since 1990, the world has lost 129 million hectares of forest, an area about the size of South Africa. This ongoing deforestation is like losing a country the size of Panama every year. It has serious consequences for the planet, including increasing greenhouse gas emissions, endangering many plant and animal species, and upsetting the balance of ecosystems.

Many people feel helpless in the face of serious environmental problems. However, the Salgados took a different approach, driven by their passion and belief in nature’s resilience. Their journey started when Sebastião, a renowned photojournalist, returned to Brazil after covering the Rwandan genocide. Instead of the lush rainforests he remembered, he found barren land and a lack of wildlife.

Determined to fix the environmental damage, Lélia had a bold plan: to plant trees and restore the land. This led to the creation of Instituto Terra, a small organization with a big goal. They planted an impressive 4 million young trees over time, bringing back life to the once-barren land. Their method was careful, focusing on native plants to keep the natural balance and protect the ecosystem.

Their efforts have achieved remarkable results. Where there was once silence, now fills with the lively sounds of nature—bird songs, buzzing insects, and the rustling of life returning to the forest. A diverse ecosystem has thrived, with 172 types of birds, 33 types of mammals, 293 plant species, and numerous reptiles and amphibians reclaiming their home.

Their success story offers hope, showing how nature can bounce back when given a chance to recover. It highlights the importance of planting more trees everywhere to lessen the harmful effects of deforestation on Earth. Sebastião emphasizes the need for a stronger spiritual bond with the planet to protect it for our children and grandchildren.

In a world dealing with urgent environmental problems, the Salgados’ journey shows how individuals and groups can work together to bring back our planet’s beauty and harmony.