Suzano, the world's largest pulp supplier, has connected 214,368 hectares of native forest in the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Amazon biomes in Brazil by establishing ecological corridors, restoring an area larger than 200,000 soccer fields within four years. In 2025 alone, 55,366 hectares of native forest were connected, advancing Suzano's public goal of connecting 500,000 hectares by 2030, as outlined in the Company's recently published Sustainability Report.
The implementation of ecological corridors is guided by decades of research and monitoring by Suzano and its partners. The aim is to connect larger fragments of land that host greater biodiversity, as well as those already monitored by experts, with sites where wildlife is limited or threatened. These corridors are designed to follow the shortest possible route, increasing the likelihood of them being used by wildlife to better support their movement.
"This connection allows animals to access different areas, increasing wildlife movement, supporting the dispersal of seeds and pollen, and enhancing genetic diversity and population resilience. It's not just about restoring areas of native forest - it's about enabling the ecosystem to function in an integrated way. When fragments are no longer isolated, the landscape regains its ability to sustain life continuously, which is essential for the conservation of biodiversity in these regions," said Paulo Groke, a forest engineer at the Ecofuturo Institute with over four decades of experience in conservation.
In the Atlantic Forest, Suzano's focus is on connecting fragments between the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo, whilst it aims to increase overall connectivity in Mato Grosso do Sul, in the Cerrado region. In the Amazon, the Company is strengthening protection in the Arc of Deforestation, with emphasis on having created the Natural Heritage Private Reserve (RPPN) Nova Descoberta - the largest private reserve in Maranhão, covering 5,800 hectares - which connects to the Gurupi Mosaic, a group of conservation units and Indigenous lands between Maranhão and Pará, and is one of the most vital areas for biodiversity in the Eastern Amazon.
This initiative covers areas of land owned by both Suzano and third parties, adopting a collaborative model that engages local communities, rural landowners, civil society organizations and external funders. By connecting new areas of land, the impact of this initiative extends beyond Suzano's owned areas, strengthening operations across extensive regions and fostering meaningful partnerships that support ecological restoration and conservation efforts.
"Our bold Corredor da Mata program aims to build the largest ecological corridor in the Atlantic Forest. The sustainable use of land, executed through forest restoration and the implementation of agroforestry systems, is the primary activity developed by the partnership between iNovaland and Suzano. This has been paving the way and fostering connections through the exchange of knowledge and transfer of technology for the regional development of the rural community. We believe that the success of an ecological corridor depends on regional integration and the formation of partnerships among Indigenous communities, family farming settlements, rural landowners, companies, academia, and public agencies," stated Márcio Braga, Managing Director of iNovaland Brasil.
This collective approach is what drives widescale progress and ensures consistency in the project. "To achieve Suzano's goal by 2030, we need to bring together different stakeholders around a shared purpose. We must look beyond our own areas and engage communities, rural producers and partners, to create corridors that bring environmental and social benefits to the entire surrounding area," said Giordano Automare, Executive Sustainability Manager at Suzano. "This effort requires dialogue and trust, to ensure healthier ecosystems and more resilient landscapes. Each section of the implemented corridor delivers value beyond Suzano, empowering everyone who depends on these areas," he added.
The implementation of ecological corridors is part of Suzano's Nature Strategy, launched in 2025. The strategy was developed in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is guided by the STAR methodology, which identifies priority threats for reducing the risk of extinction of endangered species. Monitoring carried out in areas where ecological corridors have been implemented has already recorded 97 endangered species, of which 19 were chosen as the focus of action, including the hook-billed hermit, Kaapori capuchin and giant armadillo. This indicates the potential of these corridors to improve connectivity and support the survival of wildlife, in alignment with global biodiversity goals.
Detailed information about the progress of the ecological corridors initiative, the nature strategy, and the other social and environmental commitments undertaken by the Company is available in Suzano's 2025 Sustainability Report. To learn more, visit: https://www.suzano.com.br/sustainability-reports/2025-sustainability-report
