Florent Kaiser, CEO of Global Forest Generation, spoke to Team Reblue about his mission to restore ecosystems through a blend of ancestral wisdom and modern science. Drawing inspiration from communities in the Andes, he shared his perspective on how patience, collaboration and bold action are key to driving global-scale change.

Florent Kaiser’s defining moment came in 2023, when a decade-old reforestation site in Peru’s drought-ravaged Andes did the unthinkable: it resurrected a dead river. For the CEO of Global Forest Generation (GFG), this wasn’t just an ecological win—it was proof that restoration is the ultimate strategic play.

A conservationist forged in the jungles of Honduras and the boardrooms of global NGOs, Florent built GFG to bridge ancient wisdom and modern scale. His award-winning Acción Andina initiative—powered by Indigenous principles like Ayni (reciprocity) and Minka (collective action)—has mobilized 12 million trees planted, 5,000 hectares restored, and a 2023 Earthshot Prize. But for executives, the real value lies in its blueprint: treating ecosystems as infrastructure that safeguards water, stabilizes supply chains, and future-proofs economies.

In this 'Nine Questions With' interview, Florent distills lessons for leaders: The ROI of 100-Year Visions—why GFG plans in centuries, not quarters—and how businesses can adopt legacy thinking; Stakeholder Capitalism, Redefined—partnering with (not “saving”) communities drives 50% higher project success; AI as a Force Multiplier—using predictive analytics to turn ancestral knowledge into scalable action without losing cultural roots.

“Ecosystem collapse isn’t a ‘sustainability issue’—it’s a material risk,” Florent argues. His work reframes forests as strategic assets: drought-resilient water systems for 10M people, biodiversity hubs that curb regulatory risks, and carbon sinks with compounding ROI. For leaders eyeing long-term value, his message cuts through ESG noise: Restoration isn’t idealism—it’s the new operational playbook. Read on:

Team Reblue: Florent, your journey in environmental conservation is truly inspiring. Can you share with us what initially drew you to this field and the experiences that have shaped your commitment to forest restoration? How does leading Global Forest Generation align with your personal mission to make a positive impact on the planet?

Florent Kaiser: From an early age, I was captivated by nature. My childhood was filled with long walks in the forest with my mom, collecting plants and insects, marveling at bird songs and climbing every tree I saw. But alongside this, I also felt the weight of growing up in a world defined by environmental crises: deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss. After high school, I spent a transformative year living in the jungles of Honduras in Central America. Immersed in the beauty of the forest and the resilience of communities living close to nature, I realized I couldn’t just stand by. I decided to dedicate my life to protecting forests and the people who depend on them. Over the next decade, I worked in over 40 countries, witnessing both the destruction of places like the Amazon rainforest and the incredible potential for restoration. This led to a key question: How can we unite people across cultures and generations to restore our planet? Whether in the Andes or Himalayas, the challenge is the same: restoring ecosystems while empowering the communities who depend on them. Leading Global Forest Generation is about turning these questions into action, forging alliances and working collectively to heal the Earth. This is what drives me.

“Ecosystem collapse isn’t a ‘sustainability issue’—it’s a material risk.”

Team Reblue: As the CEO of Global Forest Generation, you have a clear vision for the organization’s impact on forest restoration. You recently emphasized the importance of

crafting 100-year visions for ecosystem restoration and learning from cultures that have stewarded their lands across generations. Can you elaborate on how these principles guide your long-term goals for Global Forest Generation and how you plan to expand your initiatives beyond the Andes to address ecological challenges in other regions?

Florent Kaiser: Our journey began in the Andes, inspired by local leaders who understood the land and their people. Acción Andina, our flagship initiative, demonstrated the power of ancestral wisdom, with principles like Ayni and Minka mobilizing communities for a common purpose. At Global Forest Generation, we combine modern conservation tools with this wisdom, showing how scalable, enduring restoration can be. We believe this model has global potential. Restoration is more than planting trees—it’s about uniting millions for long-term change. With patience and a 100-year vision, our aim of ‘regeneration’ is our most ambitious mission, starting in the Andes and continuing throughout the world.

“Restoration isn’t idealism—it’s the new operational playbook.”

Team Reblue: Global Forest Generation's Accion Andina initiative has garnered significant recognition, including the 2023 Earthshot Prize for protecting and restoring nature. Can you share a story about a specific community or individual impacted by this project and how it exemplifies the power of local participation in conservation efforts?

Florent Kaiser: Just days before traveling to Singapore for the Earthshot Prize, I witnessed a moment that will stay with me forever. In late 2023, amidst one of the worst droughts the Andes had seen in decades, the land was cracked, rivers had disappeared, and communities were struggling. In the highlands of Cusco, we saw an entire community gathered below one of our reforestation sites. Over 200,000 trees planted a decade ago had brought something extraordinary: a clear stream of water, even in such devastation. People shouted, “The water is coming back! It’s working!” They weren’t just celebrating the return of water but already imagining future reforestation sites. For me and my partner, Constantino Aucca (Co-founder of GFG and President of Acción Andina), it proved that restoration isn’t just an idea—it’s a movement with the power to change lives and landscapes. Winning the Earthshot Prize wasn’t just about the award—it was a recognition of our work as a beacon of hope for the planet. It emphasized that restoring ecosystems and empowering communities can create profound, lasting change. That day in the Andes, we saw this firsthand. The Earthshot Prize amplifies these stories, showing the world that restoration is not just possible—it’s happening and working.

“AI will also revolutionize program management, allowing us to dramatically increase efficiency—doing the work of 150 people with just 15.”

Team Reblue: As you work to develop large-scale forest ecosystem conservation partnerships, what are some of the most common challenges you face when collaborating with local communities? Additionally, how do you craft compelling narratives that inspire collaboration and unity among diverse stakeholders? What stories or principles do you find resonate most when encouraging communities to embrace innovative approaches for a sustainable future?

Florent Kaiser: Collaborating with local communities requires respect for their histories, needs, and cultural contexts. A major challenge is bridging traditional knowledge with modern conservation tools. Our approach is rooted in listening—truly hearing communities and co-creating solutions that honor their worldviews while integrating science. Through Acción Andina, I travel frequently across the Andes, attending planting ceremonies and community gatherings. These experiences have taught me the importance of reciprocity, unity, and collective action. When crafting narratives, we focus on shared goals like securing water or sustaining livelihoods. Stories like water returning to drought-stricken communities inspire hope. What resonates most is the idea of legacy: restoring ecosystems and creating a future where people and nature thrive together.

"Trust isn’t built overnight and requires being active, engaged, and respecting communities' values.”

Team Reblue: Climate change is a pressing issue, with forests playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration. How do you measure the impact of your projects on carbon capture, and can you share any statistics that highlight the significance of forest restoration in mitigating climate change?

Florent Kaiser: Forests are undeniably one of the most powerful tools in the fight against climate change, but for us, carbon is just one part of a bigger story. By March, our projects will have planted over 12 million trees, restoring nearly 5,000 hectares of high-Andean forests. These forests sequester carbon, regulate water cycles, enrich soil, support biodiversity, and provide social benefits to local communities. While carbon sequestration is important, we don’t fund our work through carbon markets, as carbon often feels abstract to the communities we work with. Instead, their focus—and ours—is on immediate benefits: clean water, fertile soil, thriving biodiversity, and cultural preservation. We are developing a monitoring framework to measure water, biodiversity, and social benefits, with carbon measurement coming as technology evolves. Forests are not just carbon sinks; they are life-supporting ecosystems. Restoring high-Andean forests makes landscapes more resilient to climate change and addresses local communities' needs.

“Forests are not just carbon sinks; they are life-supporting ecosystems.”

Team Reblue: For sustainability professionals striving to make a meaningful impact, what key pieces of advice would you offer them to effectively engage communities and stakeholders in conservation initiatives? Given that studies show community involvement can increase project success rates by up to 50%, how can they foster genuine collaboration and commitment?
 

Florent Kaiser: My key advice for sustainability professionals is to focus on building trust—it’s the foundation of any meaningful collaboration. Trust isn’t built overnight and requires being active, engaged, and respecting communities' values. Spend time with people, listen, and align goals with what matters most to them. Projects succeed when communities feel ownership and pride. To put this into perspective, ask how you’d motivate neighbors to replace lawns with trees—you’ll face resistance, not because they don’t care, but due to a lack of shared vision or trust. The same applies globally—people’s behaviors are rooted in relationships and collective purpose. Storytelling can inspire change by sharing other communities’ successes. But the most important ingredient is time. When trust is strong, communities will not only support but lead the work, ensuring long-term success.

"Restoration is more than planting trees—it’s about uniting millions for long-term change.”

Team Reblue: Engaging younger generations in conservation is vital for the future. How does Global Forest Generation inspire youth involvement in forest restoration, and what initiatives do you have in place to connect them with nature and conservation efforts? 

Florent Kaiser: Engaging younger generations is central to our mission, especially those in rural communities facing degraded ecosystems and climate impacts. At Acción Andina and Global Forest Generation, we empower youth by giving them real opportunities to lead. They don’t just participate in restoration—they take ownership, restore lands, and grow into leadership roles. With the right tools and trust, they rise as leaders in conservation. For example, Acción Andina collaborates with schools to teach the cultural and ecological importance of forests while involving students in reforestation. These hands-on experiences build confidence and purpose. We ensure youth are integral to decision-making, allowing them to shape their communities and ecosystems. Protecting nature must become a viable profession for young people, particularly in vulnerable regions. By equipping them with the tools to lead, we’re creating a generation of conservation leaders.

"Every action matters—whether restoring a watershed in the Andes or planting trees in the Himalayas.”

Team Reblue: As Global Forest Generation leverages innovative technologies to enhance forest restoration efforts, how do you see AI and advanced data analytics transforming conservation strategies? Can you share specific examples of how these technologies have improved project outcomes, particularly in monitoring biodiversity or optimizing resource management?

Florent Kaiser: We are just beginning to explore AI’s potential for nature restoration, and the possibilities are exciting. AI and data analytics are transforming conservation by enabling us to monitor forest health, track biodiversity, and optimize restoration strategies with greater precision. For example, we’re developing a Salesforce-based platform to track restoration metrics, streamline communications, and allocate resources efficiently. One next step is creating an AI model to quantify restoration benefits for water security across entire watersheds. This will help design a masterplan for restoring the Andes, engaging local communities and downstream water users to invest in the process. AI will also revolutionize program management, allowing us to dramatically increase efficiency—doing the work of 150 people with just 15. This transformation will make conservation more mainstream and position restoration as a central pillar of global environmental and economic progress.

“We must give everything to this (global ecosystem restoration) mission because there is no alternative. By blending the timeless and cutting-edge, we can create a restored planet where humanity thrives in harmony with nature.”

Team Reblue: Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to create through your leadership at Global Forest Generation, and how can individuals and organizations worldwide contribute to the mission of restoring forests and promoting biodiversity for future generations? 

Florent Kaiser: My legacy will be to mobilize a global movement to restore nature, proving large-scale restoration is achievable within this century. Through Global Forest Generation, we continue our 100-year mission to restore the Andes and expand to other regions. These ecosystems provide lifelines for millions. Restoration requires collaboration with local communities, governments, companies, and individuals. At the heart of this effort is reforging our relationship with nature. Much of this wisdom is rooted in ancient cultures, which we must nurture in modern societies. I envision a model that combines ancestral wisdom with modern science. We must give everything to this mission because there is no alternative. By blending the timeless and cutting-edge, we can create a restored planet where humanity thrives in harmony with nature. This mission depends on all of us. Whether supporting our efforts or others, every action matters—whether restoring a watershed in the Andes or planting trees in the Himalayas. Together, we can build a movement that restores ecosystems and ensures a thriving future for all. Let’s not wait—our future depends on it.

Photo Courtesy of Florent Kaiser