Bosques Yungas
The Yungas of northwest Argentina are one of the country's richest forest ecosystems and one of the most threatened. Decades of selective logging have hollowed out the canopy, taking the tallest and finest trees of certain species and leaving the structural top stratum of the forest gone. What remains looks like forest from a distance, but the architecture that holds the biodiversity together has been quietly removed.
This project has been working since 2002 to put that structure back. Around 100,000 trees have been planted across 300 hectares in Tucumán, deliberately chosen from the upper-canopy species that logging took out. Native fruit trees have also been added to the understory so the recovery isn't only ecological. Families in nearby communities harvest from the same forest the project is restoring, which gives the work a stake in the daily lives of the people who live around it.
Not For Sale supports Bosques Yungas because the slow process of rebuilding what extractive industry took out is the same shape as the work we do everywhere. Repair only holds when the people closest to the damage have a real reason to protect what's coming back. A forest with a future is one where the community shares in it.
Field updates
Posts from the planting team18 May 2026
Another activity we carry out in the project with the planting team is collecting fruits and separating, selecting, and weighing native tree seeds. In this case, we are working with guarán (Tecoma stans) and cebil colorado (Anadenanthera colubrina) seeds. Each selected seed is a new opportunity to keep restoring the native forest.
15 May 2026
This native tree was heavily used for its hard wood for many years. Now, every seed matters to help restore the forest.
27 Apr 2026
We walked through the forest, talked about native plants, wildlife, and how the ecosystem is recovering. To wrap up the day, we planted a tree together — a simple way to take part and leave a positive mark. These visits help bring people closer to the project and show that restoration is something we build together.
15 Apr 2026
In our case, we celebrate it by restoring the Yungas forest, planting native trees. Each tree is a step toward ecosystem recovery, carbon capture, and the return of biodiversity.
7 Apr 2026
During a walk in the forest, we found these “tiger wing” butterflies (Mechanitis lysimnia) emerging under the leaves of chilto (Solanum betaceum). Their caterpillars feed on different plants from the "Solanacea" family; in the Yungas, they are often linked to chiltos plant, where they lay their eggs and complete much of their life cycle. These relationships show how a healthy ecosystem works: native plants support insects, and insects are part of larger networks of life. Restoring the forest is not just about planting trees, it’s about bringing these connections back.
26 Mar 2026
This work helps us understand how the forest’s health is evolving. Because a forest is not just trees: it’s a living network where animals, plants, and other organisms all play a key role.
16 Mar 2026
Proper clearing ensures space, light availability, and better establishment for native seedlings.
9 Mar 2026
Restoration begins with understanding each species and its life cycle.
3 Mar 2026
Through native species production, seasonal planting, and long-term monitoring, we are rebuilding habitat in the Yungas of Argentina. Every seed we sow contributes to food sources, shelter, and ecological connectivity for local wildlife. Forest restoration is not only about trees — it’s about creating the conditions for biodiversity to thrive again.
26 Feb 2026
One of them is preparing the substrate and filling the pots where native seeds will later be sown to grow into new trees.
24 Feb 2026
At this early stage, we manage irrigation, substrate, and light, and protect the seedlings from frost, pests, and water stress. The goal is clear: to ensure healthy, well-developed trees with higher survival rates in the field. The nursery is the starting point of every planting effort. Without solid and well-planned production, restoration is not possible.
19 Feb 2026
We take advantage of the rainy season to plant native species and give them the best possible start. It’s the time of year when the forest supports the process and everything begins to grow.
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