Terraformation Appoints American Forests’ Jad Daley to Lead Global Reforestation Push

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 17, 2025 – Terraformation, a global leader in native forest restoration, today announced the appointment of Jad Daley, former President & CEO of American Forests, as its new President. This strategic move signals a significant push to scale reforestation efforts globally, with a focus on attracting investment and forging partnerships to meet ambitious targets for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.

Scaling Restoration Efforts Amidst a Critical Funding Gap

Daley brings a wealth of experience to Terraformation, having led American Forests for over five years, where he oversaw a dramatic expansion of the organization’s impact on climate-smart forest restoration. During his tenure, American Forests secured significant funding for reforestation initiatives, including $14 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. His leadership also resulted in the establishment of critical tree equity initiatives and a $20 million partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. “His track record in mobilizing resources and fostering collaboration is precisely what we need to accelerate our mission,” said a source familiar with the appointment.

Terraformation, founded by former Reddit CEO Yishan Wong, operates on a “full-stack” approach to restoration, providing end-to-end solutions that encompass seed banking, training, finance, and technology. The company differentiates itself through its commitment to restoring native forests, prioritizing biodiversity and ecological resilience over monoculture plantations. This focus is increasingly recognized as crucial for long-term carbon storage and ecosystem health. “The emphasis on native species is vital,” notes one conservation expert. “It's not just about planting trees, it's about restoring functioning ecosystems that can withstand climate change and support local communities.”

Pioneering a “Full-Stack” Approach and Blended Finance

Terraformation’s business model hinges on attracting significant private and public investment. In 2021, the company secured a $30 million Series A funding round, demonstrating early investor confidence in its vision. A core component of their strategy is blended finance—combining philanthropic capital, public funds, and private investment to de-risk projects and unlock large-scale reforestation opportunities. This approach is particularly important in addressing the significant funding gap for nature-based solutions, estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), investments in nature-based solutions need to triple by 2030 to meet critical climate and biodiversity targets. Terraformation aims to play a leading role in bridging this gap by demonstrating the financial viability of large-scale reforestation projects and attracting a new generation of impact investors. The company is also actively involved in developing carbon credit projects, generating revenue from the carbon sequestration benefits of restored forests. “Carbon finance is an important tool, but it needs to be paired with a broader approach that prioritizes ecosystem health and community benefits,” a financial analyst commented.

On-the-Ground Impact: The Iroko Restoration Project

One of Terraformation’s flagship initiatives is the Iroko Restoration Project in Cameroon, a large-scale effort to restore 14,000 hectares of degraded land within the Congo Basin. This project exemplifies the company’s commitment to restoring native forests and providing socio-economic benefits to local communities. The project focuses on planting a diverse mix of native tree species, creating a resilient ecosystem that can sequester carbon, protect biodiversity, and provide sustainable livelihoods.

“Community involvement is crucial for the success of any restoration project,” noted a local NGO representative working in the region. “It's not enough to just plant trees; you need to empower local communities to become stewards of the forest.” Terraformation is actively working with local communities in Cameroon, providing training, employment opportunities, and financial support. The company also emphasizes the importance of monitoring and verification, ensuring that the project delivers tangible benefits for both the environment and local communities.

The Iroko project, and others like it, highlight Terraformation’s commitment to creating measurable impact. The company’s focus on native restoration, coupled with its blended finance model and community engagement approach, positions it as a leader in the rapidly growing field of ecological restoration.

With Daley at the helm, Terraformation is poised to accelerate its impact and contribute significantly to global efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss. The appointment signifies a strategic investment in leadership and a clear commitment to scaling restoration efforts at a critical juncture for the planet.