Welcome to the Zurich Forest Project

Working with Instituto Terra, a Brazil-based non-profit, Zurich is helping bring back to life a part of one of the greatest forests on earth. The Zurich Forest Project is featured at the Amazônia exhibition.

About the Zurich Forest Project

Listen to the Zurich Forest Project

Bloomberg Green Summit

Flora and Fauna @ the Zurich Forest Project

Rhinella marina

Rhinella marina



The Sapo Cururu, or Cane Toad, native to Central and South America, is known for its high fertility, dietary adaptability, and toxic poison glands. Introduced to regions like Australia in 1935 for pest control, it has become a pest itself, posing a threat to native predators and domestic animals. Today, its presence causes serious ecological imbalances in the areas where it has been introduced.

Gonçalo Alves (Astronium fraxinifolium)

Gonçalo Alves (Astronium fraxinifolium)

The species is not endemic to Brazil but occurs in the North, Northeast, Central-West, and Southeast regions, with subpopulations in different biomes. It is protected by legislation prohibiting its cutting in primary forests and controlling it in other environments. The species can reach a height of 8 to 12 meters, with a straight, cylindrical trunk 60 to 80 cm in diameter, and compound leaves.

Sebastião Salgado and his wife Lélia

Our project

In 1998, Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado and his wife Lélia set out to reclaim a small portion of the once-mighty Atlantic Forest, the Mata Atlântica. Until it was nearly destroyed, Brazil’s ‘other’ rainforest, sanctuary to wildlife and plants, and a vital resource for local people, stretched along much of Brazil’s eastern coastline. Today, after hundreds of years of destruction, the forest has almost vanished. Zurich wants to help restore it. So, in 2020, in collaboration with Instituto Terra, the non-profit organization that the Salgados founded, Zurich established the Zurich Forest project.

Find out more about our project
Zurich tree icon

The Zurich Forest Project Interactive Map by Restor

Restor is a science-based open data platform, founded by ETH Zurich and Crowther Lab, supporting and connecting the global restoration movement.

Have a look at where the Zurich Forest Project is being carried out.

Go to Instituto Terra Map

Zurich Forest Project news

Bird
July 2024

Ecosystem Restoration projects like the Zurich Forest Project, in collaboration with Instituto Terra, helps transform degraded areas into thriving habitats rich in biodiversity.
These efforts have led to the return of numerous plant and animal species, showcasing the resilience of nature when given a helping hand.

Read more news

Calendar

  • 07September

    Sustainability

    International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

  • 16September

    Sustainability

    International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

  • 30September

    Sustainability

    World Maritime Day

Key numbers

1.000.000

Zurich's grant covers the planting of 1.000.000 trees

Up to 120

Scientifically selected native species

297

Species of plants native to the Atlantic Forest in the Instituto Terra

250

Species of animals from the Atlantic Forest in the Instituto Terra

6.7mi

Native seedlings produced since 2002 in the Instituto Terra

2,131

Hectares reforested by Instituto Terra, 700 as part of the Zurich Forest Project

newsletter picto

Contact

Get in touch with the Zurich Forest Project team. Reach out at:

ZurichForest@zurich.com