A Brazilian couple has been turning a run-down ranch into an affluent wildlife paradise for the past 20 years. When renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado and his wife Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado bought the land in 1994, they were horrified by the damage caused by deforestation and commercial farming.
The two set out to replace the region with native species of trees and vegetation because they were determined to bring about a change. With time, their efforts have been fruitful. The once-arid land is now teeming with life, thanks to the planting of almost 2 million trees and the restoration of thousands of species.
The couple’s project, Instituto Terra, has not only helped to restore the local ecology but has also improved the climate because the regenerated forest acts as a carbon sink. In addition, the reforestation has created job opportunities and functioned as a sustainable development model for the nearby community.
Sebastião received the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award in 1998 and the Right Livelihood Award in 2019, respectively, indicating the international recognition that the Salgados’ work has garnered. Their story has inspired people all around the world to take action to protect the environment and work toward a sustainable future.
The couple’s dedication to fixing the property is evidence of people’s inventiveness and perseverance. Through their work, they have shown that even the most degraded landscapes can be transformed back into healthy ecosystems with the right tools and commitment.
Many endangered species of flora and animals can currently be found there.
Hear the two discuss their wonderful project.
