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With a mission to restore one million hectares of degraded land in the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, ReGreen leverages the expertise of scientists, ecologists, engineers, and operations specialists to facilitate comprehensive ecosystem restoration.

ReGreen, a pioneering company at the forefront of Brazil’s tropical forest restoration, has one of its regional offices in Eunápolis, Bahia.

ReGreen’s multifaceted approach includes innovative techniques, local community engagement and partnerships with organizations. One such partner is Primaflora Viveiro, a nursery company specializing in seed gathering and seedling production of native species.

On Monday 15 April 2022, while on a visit to Brazil for the G20 meetings, Paula Padrino Vilela, Programme Management Officer, G20 Global Land Initiative, went to the Bahia region of Brazil to meet ReGreen colleagues to see, firsthand, their restoration efforts in the Atlantic rainforest.

The visit began at the ReGreen office in Eunápolis, where Paula Padrino Vilela was introduced to the team driving the company’s initiatives across Bahia.

With three ongoing projects in the region, ReGreen’s commitment to ecosystem restoration was evident, with the use of native species from Atlantic rainforest to revive degraded lands.

The coordinator of seed collection, Carlos Tomé, emphasized the critical role of gathering native seeds in the restoration process. ReGreen uses native species from the Atlantic Forests to  ensure ecosystems are restored to their biodiverse natural state.

Following the office visit, Paula Padrino Vilela and three ReGreen staff proceeded to Fazenda Ouro Verde nearly an hour away, where 344 hectares of land have been transformed using various restoration techniques. Expert guidance to the restore the area is provided and supported in collaboration with local universities.

ReGreen’s approach extends beyond mere reforestation, and takes a twofold approach.

First, it produces high-quality carbon offsets while supporting local communities and promoting biodiversity.

Second, it produces high-quality, certified native hardwood which enables large-scale restoration through the sustainable management of the entire production chain.

Notably, ReGreen employs cutting-edge technology, such as drones, not only to reach inaccessible areas, but also enhance the efficiency and reach of their operations.

ReGreen explained that they take particular care to work with local communities and create meaningful partnerships and relationships with local stakeholders.

The journey continued with a visit to Primaflora Viveiro, a local nursery company and ReGreen’s partner in seed collection and seedling production.

Conversations with Primaflora Viveiro’s team delved into the current state of the Atlantic rainforest, exploring both the challenges of degradation and the promising signs of reforestation, and concurred on the importance of community involvement in the restoration process.

Primaflora Viveiro’s collaboration with ReGreen illustrates the power of partnerships in creating meaningful change.

By engaging local communities and strengthening the sense of ownership over restoration efforts, both companies are healing the land and nurturing a deeper connection between people and nature.

At Primaflora Viveiro, Paula Padrino Vilela met a remarkable group of women, who call themselves as “Mulheres da Mata,” which translate to “Women of the Forest”.

The women are actively learning skills traditionally associated with men, such as seed selection, collection and seedling plantation. They intend to establish their own nursery very soon with the aspiration of replicating the success of Primaflora Viveiro and potentially securing a contract with ReGreen.

This was truly inspiring. Paula Padrino Vilela was deeply moved  by their determination and hopes for success in the restoration industry.

The visit to ReGreen and Primaflora Viveiro reaffirms the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling deforestation and promoting sustainable land management. Through innovation, community engagement and meaningful partnerships, many local organizations are leading the way towards a greener, more sustainable future for Brazil’s forests and its people.

G20 GLI is committed to supporting such initiatives!

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