The Atlantic Forest, extends along parts of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Its rainforest plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation, water regulation, and providing food and economic support for local communities. However, over 80% of its original territory has been destroyed due to deforestation and habitat alteration, putting both biodiversity and the well-being of the people who depend on this environment at risk.
Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, a member of the Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact UN World Restoration Flagship, has been working for over 20 years on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of the natural resources of the Atlantic Forest in Argentina, locally known as selva misionera. Since 2008, Vida Silvestre has been implementing restoration initiatives with small and medium-sized rural producers to improve the environment and their quality of life.
In recent years, restoration efforts have focused on San Pedro, Misiones, to reestablish biodiversity corridors and connectivity between forested areas, essential for the conservation of the jaguar. In collaboration with the Municipality of San Pedro, the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), and the National Institute of Family, Peasant, and Indigenous Agriculture (INAFCI), Vida Silvestre is implementing the project "Restoring Misiones Forest for People and Nature". This initiative seeks, with the commitment of rural families, to conserve and recover the natural richness of the forest and promote environmentally friendly production practices.
Researchers from CONICET defined an Optimal Landscape for Jaguar Conservation, highlighting the project's area of influence as a priority for connecting the largest forest patches in Misiones. "We are working in one of the highest priority areas for the conservation of the biggest cat in America. This region is crucial because it connects the largest remaining forest patches in Misiones, and our mission is to ensure that this connectivity is not lost, both for nature and to ensure the well-being of the people living there," said Claudia Amicone, restoration and community specialist at Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina.
The first phase of the project was completed with 24 rural families from Colonia Alegría, restoring 114 hectares and planting 22,500 native trees. Additionally, access to safe water was improved by adapting sources and pumping systems. The forest and water maintain a close relationship, and Fabián Rodríguez, a rural producer from Colonia Alegría, assures that "for those of us who have experienced water shortages, it becomes clear that the forest is missing. That's why I was interested in the project, to be able to restore the forest and improve access to water." In addition, Valeria Antúnez de Lara, a rural producer, indicated that "we spent many years suffering from the lack of water. We used to carry water in drums, covering about 700 meters, and now we have water in our house."
The project also aims to ensure long-term success by providing capacity through technical advice and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Through the collaboration between Vida Silvestre, INTA, and INAFCI, knowledge was shared on yerba mate production, livestock, horticulture, and beekeeping, establishing 16.5 hectares of new agroforestry systems and adapting 37 hectares of existing yerba mate plantations.
Currently, the second stage of the project includes 31 new families, with the restoration of an additional 124 hectares, ongoing training, and permanent technical assistance. Between 2008 and 2024, Vida Silvestre restored over 500 hectares in Misiones, planting more than 220,000 native trees with the participation of over 150 rural families.
The Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact was recognized in 2022 as one of the first World Restoration Flagship Initiatives by the UN, further boosting conservation efforts in the region. Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, the WWF representative in the country, emphasizes the importance of community commitment to achieve true restoration and conservation processes in the Atlantic Forest. The above mentioned results are key steps toward a larger ambition, to restore 15 million hectares by 2050 across the Atlantic Forest, involving more than 350 multisectoral organizations across the three countries with over 30 years of experience in restoration.
About the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
The United Nations General Assembly has declared the years 2021 through 2030 the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Led by the UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, together with the support of partners, it is designed to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystems worldwide. It aims at reviving billions of hectares, covering terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. A global call to action, the UN Decade draws together political support, scientific research, and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration.
About the Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact:
This World Restoration Flagship is coordinated by The Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest and the Trinational Network for the restoration of the Atlantic Forest. It receives support from 300+ partners, including Brazilian Society for Ecological Restoration, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, The Nature Conservancy in Brazil, World Resources Institute Brazil, World Wide Fund Brazil, WWF Paraguay, Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina and many other international and local organizations.
About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.