The gigantic trees standing tall in the Chaco and Concepción regions of Paraguay are being recognized as 'Paraguayan Heritage.' The value of these colossal trees was brought back into the spotlight as the third and final leg of the '2025 Giants of the Earth' expedition, hosted by the 'A Todo Pulmón' (With All Lungs) organization, was successfully concluded. During this expedition, the team visited the final candidate trees located in Concepción and the Paraguayan Chaco, unearthing the unique stories contained within them.

Meeting the Extraordinary Giants

The expedition, which included about 60 experts, judges, journalists, and influencers, embarked on a journey to visit the eight final candidate trees. In Paso Barreto, Concepción Department, they met a gigantic Timbó tree and a Guapo'y tree that has held the title of 'largest tree in Paraguay' since 2019. In particular, the Tarumá Guasu located in the community cemetery of Belén, Concepción Department, holds special significance as a symbol of a gathering place for residents and a guardian of their eternal resting place.

The exploration in the Paraguayan Chaco region provided a deep sense of emotion despite the challenging journey. At a primary school in Pirizal, Boquerón Department, the team visited a Tatajyva tree that was a final candidate in the 'Tree of My School' category. The children who gathered to see the tree greeted the expedition team with a performance filled with patriotism and respect for nature, creating an unforgettable moment for everyone. In addition, other trees native to the Chaco, such as Samu'u and Quebracho Colorado, captivated the team's attention.

The Secret to a Successful Campaign

The 'Giants of the Earth' campaign achieved great success by fostering communication and participation throughout Paraguay. Nearly 2,000 trees were nominated, which shows a significant improvement in the public's awareness of forest conservation in Paraguay. Sofía Alonso, the communication manager for 'A Todo Pulmón,' said, "To protect something, you must know about it. Through this 14th edition of the event, we have succeeded in raising awareness about these trees, which are the heritage of Paraguay, and spreading the message of conservation."

In particular, the three expeditions demanded an enormous effort from the organizing committee. Osvaldo Turland, the general manager of 'A Todo Pulmón,' stated, "The last expedition is always the most difficult but also the most moving moment," adding, "This Chaco expedition was an unforgettable adventure for all of us. A significant number of the explorers visited the Chaco for the first time, and they feel a great sense of pride in having experienced this place through 'A Todo Pulmón'."

This campaign set a goal of visiting all the final candidate trees and did not shy away from even hard-to-reach areas. This demonstrates the sense of responsibility as Paraguay's largest environmental campaign.

The awards ceremony for the '2025 Giants of the Earth' is scheduled to take place on October 9. All eyes are on which tree will win this year's honorable title.