Latin America & the Caribbean Landscape Restoration

The Amazon Rainforest, the world's largest rainforest, spans nine countries and contains more than 10% of all known species, making it one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Within this vast ecosystem, the western headwaters across Peru, Ecuador & Brazil are especially critical. These upper tributaries serve as the Amazon’s ecological engine—origin points for its major rivers and home to some of the most intact, carbon-rich, and species-dense forests in the basin. Combined, they support the livelihoods of hundreds of Indigenous communities.

One Tree Planted works with Indigenous partners and local organizations to restore degraded lands with native forests and regenerative agroforestry. These efforts are improving ecological functions that support species like the Amazon River Dolphin, Giant Otter, and Jaguar—while also increasing the food security and livelihoods of indigenous peoples.

Once spanning over 330 million acres  just 24% of the Atlantic Forest’s original extent remains today — and only 12.4% of that is mature and protected. Despite this, it remains one of the top ten most important biodiversity hotspots in the world, with over 20,000 species—including many that are found nowhere else. Home to nearly 3/4 of Brazil’s human population, rapid agriculture expansion, urbanization, and deforestation continue to fragment this critical landscape. Within this vast biome is one of South America's most important river systems, the Paraná River Basin, which supports agriculture, urban centers, and energy production across Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.

One Tree Planted partners with local organizations to restore native forests that connect fragmented forest blocks for wildlife like the Jaguar, Golden Lion Tamarin and Piping Guan. Our work is also facilitating the regeneration of watersheds that support clean water, food security, and climate resilience for millions of people.

The Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, stretching from Mexico to Panama, is a vital highway for species migration and genetic diversity. It's home to the Eastern Monarch Butterfly’s wintering grounds, North American migratory forest birds, and watersheds serving millions of people. But deforestation driven by drought, illegal cattle ranching, and land fragmentation is rapidly accelerating biodiversity loss and threatening species like the Jaguar, Baird’s Tapir, and Resplendent Quetzal. As natural buffers disappear, local communities face growing risks from flooding, food insecurity, and freshwater shortages.

One Tree Planted is working with partners to improve the resilience of ecosystems such as Oyamel fir forests—and help safeguard key coral reefs that host unique marine life. Through local partnerships, we aim to restore degraded forests from headwaters to coast—improving watershed health, protecting coral and mangrove ecosystems, and supporting regenerative agroforestry that sustains both wildlife and local livelihoods.