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ReForest Latam

Regenerar Patagonia

Andean-Patagonian Forest · Post-fire. Assisted restoration of the araucaria forest, Proyecto Pewén.

+200 ha

to be restored in 2026–2027

ReForest drones dispersing seed capsules over an araucaria forest in Patagonia, with the snow-capped Andes in the background
ReForest LatamSoda Stereo ECOS

Soda Stereo and ReForest Latam join forces to regenerate the forests of Patagonia

Project allies

  • Banco Galicia
  • Soda Stereo ECOS
  • Revolución 21 (R21)

The problem

In Patagonia, wildfires are no longer exceptional events.

Every year, thousands of hectares of native forest are lost, directly impacting biodiversity, soils, watersheds and local communities.

A burnt araucaria tree still standing over the snow-covered landscape, with a group of people at its base

In 2025, the area suffered one of the most severe wildfires in its recent history.

  • +20 years

    of Proyecto Pewén's work to conserve and restore.

  • +200 ha

    of assisted natural regeneration between 2026 and 2027.

Proyecto Pewén

Science, innovation and territory to restore centuries-old araucaria forests.

Proyecto Pewén is a biocultural conservation and restoration initiative in Neuquén. For more than two decades it has brought together scientists, public agencies, Mapuche communities, social organizations and volunteers to conserve and recover the araucaria or pehuén forests (Araucaria araucana), one of the most emblematic ecosystems of Argentine Patagonia.

  • Lost seed banks

    High-severity fire wiped out both the soil seed bank and the surviving seed-tree stock.

  • Blocked regeneration

    Without viable seed or the possibility of resprouting, the forest's spontaneous recovery is severely limited.

  • One mission

    Restore biodiversity, soils, watersheds and landscape resilience.

The challenge

Accelerate recovery after severe wildfires, before the degradation becomes irreversible.

What we propose

The proposal

A process of assisted natural regeneration, combining ecological knowledge and technology.

The result is more native forest and a more resilient landscape.

Illustration of a burned soil block undergoing regeneration, with new shoots emerging

Methodology

Restoring with data means restoring with precision.

  1. Team member setting up a control plot in the burned forest
    Phase 1

    Ecosystem analysis

    With the Scientific Committee, we characterize each intervention zone and its key ecological variables, based on decades of research in the area.

  2. Pipette dripping onto a seedling in a Petri dish in the lab
    Phase 2

    Biotechnology

    We collect native seeds with local genetics and encapsulate them in iSeeds capsules with biostimulants developed in our lab.

  3. ReForest Latam drone dispersing seeds over the vegetation
    Phase 3

    Aerial dispersal

    We use drones equipped with seeding technology to reach remote, hard-to-access areas across large extensions.

  4. Araucaria seedling sprouting from the dark soil
    Phase 4

    Field monitoring

    We monitor progress in the field and assess the impact on biodiversity and forest structure.

Join as a partner

Science and foundations

Scientific rigor to restore with precision

A Scientific Committee of specialists with decades of experience defines the areas, methods and conditions for restoration based on applied evidence and territorial alignment, under the scientific direction of Dr. Thomas Kitzberger.

Mature araucaria tree with the lake and mountains in the background

Focal species: Araucaria araucana (Pehuén)

  • Endangered

    IUCN Red List · CITES Appendix I

  • 600 to 1,000+ years of life

    Up to 40 meters tall at maturity

  • No resprouting after fire

    Its recovery depends almost entirely on available viable seed

  • Deep biocultural bond

    Central to traditional Mapuche worldview and economy

  • 6 · 12 months

    Field monitoring at defined milestones

  • ~30 years

    Project horizon: restoring forest structure and function, not just establishing individual trees

Where we operate

The Ñorquinco lake area.

Neuquén · Andean-Patagonian Forest

One of the regions hit hardest by the cumulative impact of wildfires over the last decade. An interconnected system of forests, watersheds and biological corridors of high ecological and social value.

Araucaria forest shrouded in fog, in Neuquén

Scientific criteria

Scientific Committee

Defines what, where and how to restore: site selection, species, dispersal density, phases and monitoring, based on applied evidence and decades of study.

  • Dr. Thomas Kitzberger

    Scientific direction · CONICET (INIBIOMA)

  • Dr. Juan Paritsis

    CONICET (INIBIOMA)

  • Lic. Nahuel Aizen

    CONICET (INIBIOMA)

  • Dr. Ignacio Gasparri

    ReForest Latam · CONICET (IER-UNT)

  • Lic. Milena Bertani

    ReForest Latam

Deliverables and benefits

How to get involved.

Fund restored hectares, receive scientifically backed documentation and tell the story of your impact.

Ways to get involved

  • Fund hectares of restoration
  • Adopt an area and follow its own regenerative story
  • Link a value chain to a high-value regeneration project
  • Strengthen ESG metrics and reports with scientifically validated impact

Deliverables

  • Execution Report
  • Restored Hectares Certificate
  • Native Species Certificate
  • Genetic Traceability Certificate
  • Forest Connectivity Certificate
  • Baseline Impact Report
  • Seal and Visibility
  • Monitoring Report

Why this project

  • Verifiable, documented environmental impact
  • Scientific backing and institutional validation
  • Partnership with a territorial initiative with over 20 years of track record
  • Concrete contribution to conserving a species endangered per the IUCN Red List

Does your company want to join Patagonia's restoration?

Join as a partner

Be part of it

Join as a partner

Regenerar Patagonia is a platform open to collaboration with companies, institutions and organizations committed to climate action and the regeneration of nature.

Ana Belén Kees Rau

Partnerships · ReForest Latam

Available to talk about partnerships and restoration funding.

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