At Patagoniamas.com, we always seek stories that inspire and connect us with the essence of our region. Today, we have the privilege of sharing an Exclusive Interview with Suzanne Wylie, executive director of Fundación Reforestemos, an organization that has turned adversity into opportunity, sowing life and hope in every corner of our Native Forests in Patagonia.
From its beginnings as a citizen-led response to the devastation of the wildfires in Torres del Paine, to becoming a benchmark in the restoration of Native Forests in Patagonia, Reforestemos shows us the transformative power of collaboration and commitment.
Exclusive Interview with Suzanne Wylie, Executive Director of Fundación Reforestemos
An Inspiring Conversation with the Foundation Leading Environmental Restoration in Chile and Latin America
When and how was Reforestemos born, and what is its primary mission?
Reforestemos was born in 2012 as a citizen-led campaign under the name “Reforestemos Patagonia,” a collective response to the wildfire that devastated over 17,000 hectares in Torres del Paine. In 2017, after the “firestorm” that struck central-southern Chile, we expanded our reach to diverse regions and adopted the name Fundación Reforestemos. Our mission is to combat deforestation through a 360° plan that integrates environmental education, wildfire prevention, germination in our own nurseries, and reforestation and restoration with native species, combining efforts from individuals, businesses, and communities motivated to mitigate this issue.
What territories does your work currently cover, and how do you define priority areas?
Our work now spans 12 regions and 176 communes in Chile, with pilot projects in Argentina and Peru. We prioritize areas affected by wildfires, zones of high ecological value—watersheds, slopes, and biodiversity corridors—as well as vulnerable urban communes where we promote native tree planting to improve quality of life and climate resilience. We also support small landowners and native forest entrepreneurs through our Donation Program and Conservation Program, encouraging sustainable management.
What types of projects or actions are you currently focusing on?
Our approach materializes in a 360° plan that integrates environmental education and awareness, wildfire prevention, native plant production in our Vivero Reforestemos in Patagonia—the most technologically advanced in the region—and reforestation and restoration in areas of high ecological and social value. This effort is made possible through partnerships with over 600 companies and the commitment of 5,500 volunteers.
How do you engage the community, and what role does citizen participation play?
Citizen participation is the pillar that gives meaning to our work. We connect the urgency of restoring native forests with the motivation of thousands of people and bring reforestation into their homes: through reforestemos.org, anyone can plant a tree. We also organize on-the-ground volunteer days—over 5,500 people have participated—and donate trees and supplies to small landowners and local entrepreneurs. Thus, citizens don’t just support the cause; they become active protagonists in restoration.
What achievements or milestones stand out in these years of work?
We have planted over 1.5 million native trees, extended our work to 176 communes across 12 regions, and crossed borders with pilot projects in Argentina and Peru. We established the Vivero Reforestemos in Patagonia with an annual production exceeding 100,000 seedlings—a milestone for the region. We celebrated our first million trees with a documentary highlighting the power of collaboration and built a network of over 600 partner companies and 5,500 volunteers.
What challenges do you face today in native forest restoration and conservation?
Climate change is transforming nature at an unprecedented pace, requiring constant scientific study to adjust our techniques and ensure the survival of each plantation. There is also a gap between the high demand for quality native plants and the available supply, which is why we created our nursery and train local growers. Another critical challenge is wildfire prevention: 99.7% of wildfires in Chile are caused by human activity, so the priority is fostering a culture of care to prevent fires from starting. These challenges demand ongoing collaboration between the public sector, businesses, academia, and citizens.
Where can people follow your work?
You can find us at reforestemos.org, on Instagram as @fundacionreforestemos, on X/Twitter as @Reforestemos_, and on LinkedIn and YouTube under Fundación Reforestemos, where we share progress, calls to action, and results.
Read more about Environmental Management at Patagoniamas.com
Our Exclusive Interview with Fundación Reforestemos invites us to reflect on this monumental task, which flourishes through the union of wills, scientific knowledge, and the determined action of society as a whole. Their work to restore our ecosystems is a beacon of hope for Patagonia and for all regions affected by deforestation. From Patagoniamas.com, we celebrate their tireless efforts and invite you to join this cause. Every tree planted is a step toward a greener, more vibrant future! Join us in contributing to this beautiful challenge.
