BTG Pactual TIG Marks Major Milestone in Latin America Reforestation Strategy

On Thursday, BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (BTG Pactual TIG) and Conservation International announced that they have reached a significant milestone in their Latin American reforestation strategy: Restoration is now underway on more than 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of native and biodiverse Cerrado vegetation in Brazil.

According to data recorded by the Brazilian Restoration and Reforestation Observatory, this achievement increases the total area of restoration across the Cerrado region—where native vegetation is now growing on previously deforested land—by approximately 50% (as of April 16).

The Latin American reforestation strategy focuses on the conservation, restoration, and reforestation of degraded landscapes in important regions of Latin America, including Brazil’s Cerrado biome—one of the world’s most biodiverse seasonally dry ecosystems. With approximately half of the Cerrado already converted to other uses and deforestation continuing at high rates due to agricultural expansion, large-scale restoration efforts are essential for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

These 10,359 hectares (25,598 acres) of restoration are designed to generate nearly 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres) of connected habitat for local biodiversity—an area equivalent to 153 square miles (396 square kilometers), more than twice the size of Washington, DC. To date, more than 500 species have been identified across the strategy’s properties.

In partnership with Conservation International, which serves as an impact adviser, the broader strategy aims to protect and restore approximately 135,000 hectares (334,000 acres) of native forests and savannahs in deforested landscapes. In addition, millions of trees will be planted on sustainably managed commercial tree farms, independently certified to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards, covering another approximately 135,000 hectares of previously deforested and degraded land. At full deployment, the strategy expects to employ 2,700 full-time employees, which represents a significant increase over cattle ranching.