Carlos Montero (1945–2023) was born in Buenos Aires to a family of modest means, the son of a schoolteacher and a railway worker. Growing up on the outskirts of the city, Carlos developed a deep connection to Argentina's wild spaces during childhood trips to the countryside with his father, who taught him to identify native trees and birds. These formative experiences instilled in him a lifelong reverence for nature and a responsibility to protect it.

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After earning a degree in agronomy with a focus on forestry from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) in the late 1960s, Carlos began his career as a field technician in the Gran Chaco, witnessing firsthand the rapid transformation of forests into farmland. At the time, Argentina's agricultural frontier was expanding rapidly, driven by global demand for beef and soy, with little regulation to protect native ecosystems. Disturbed by unchecked deforestation and biodiversity loss, Carlos became an early advocate for sustainable land management, often clashing with industry leaders who prioritized short-term gains over long-term stewardship.

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In the 1980s, Carlos founded a small timber company with a radical vision: to prove that responsible forestry could be both profitable and regenerative. He implemented selective harvesting, replanting, and community partnership programs decades before Argentina's landmark Forest Law (Law 26,331) mandated sustainable practices in 2007. His company became a model for ethical business, providing stable jobs and supporting local schools and clinics in rural areas. While large-scale deforestation dominated the Gran Chaco (over 13 million hectares lost between 2001–2023), Carlos's work demonstrated alternatives to clear-cutting.

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As Carlos's reputation grew, so did his influence. In the 1990s, he advised on national forestry policy, advocating for Indigenous land rights and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge into conservation planning, ahead of Argentina's 1994 constitutional reforms that recognized Indigenous territorial claims. He forged alliances with grassroots organizations, scientists, and activists across Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia, believing that only a united, cross-border effort could address the scale of environmental challenges facing the continent.

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Carlos became increasingly alarmed by the accelerating impacts of climate change and deforestation in his later years. He often spoke of the "invisible threads" connecting the fate of South America's forests to its people's well-being and the global climate's stability. Despite facing setbacks – including political resistance, economic downturns, and personal health struggles – he remained steadfast in his commitment to conservation.

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Carlos's vision for Arbol y Tierra took shape during his final decade. He dreamed of an organization that would transcend borders, unite diverse voices, and act boldly in defense of his country’s living legacy. In his will, he dedicated a significant portion of his estate to founding Arbol y Tierra, specifying that the organization should always prioritize collaboration, transparency, and the empowerment of local communities.

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His final words to the founding team were simple yet profound:

"The trees that give Argentina life don't recognize our limitations. Our efforts to save them shouldn't either."

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Today, Carlos Montero’s legacy fund supports Arbol y Tierra's most urgent initiatives, from deforestation tracking to youth environmental education, ensuring that his passion, principles, and hope for a greener continent continue to inspire action for generations to come.