The Black Jaguar team took part in a workshop held by ISPN (Institute for Society, Population and Nature), alongside other associations and institutes selected to develop eco-social projects through the 38th Ecos Fund Grant. The initiative is supported by the Socio-Environmental Fund of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES).

The funding will support the BJF Araguaia Seed Network in achieving more autonomy and expanding the impact of our seed collector groups.

About ISPN

ISPN is a non-profit organization founded in 1990, with the mission of promoting social equity and environmental balance by strengthening sustainable livelihoods and climate adaptation strategies.   

Launched in 1994, the Ecos Fund, managed by ISPN, is a funding mechanism that supports projects led by non-profit associations and grassroots cooperatives. It focuses on the relationship between traditional communities, family farmers, and Indigenous peoples with the environment, emphasizing sustainable livelihoods that contribute to environmental benefits in line with international agreements and national policies. The fund has already launched 44 calls for proposals, supporting 938 projects. 

The 38th call is part of the Youth Leadership and Rural Feminism project, implemented by ISPN with financial support from the BNDES Socio-Environmental Fund and the Social Development division of Suzano. This initiative funds community projects that strengthen sustainable productive activities and rural contextualized education. 

This edition specifically selected community socio-environmental projects led by women or young people, focusing on initiatives that promote mitigation, vulnerability reduction, and adaptation to climate change. 

A lot of impact is on the horizon! And Black Jaguar Foundation already feels victorious seeing Ressemear recognized as a project that contributes to the socio-environmental development of women in the Araguaia region! 

Other selected organizations: 

• AMA – Associação de Mulheres Agroextrativistas da APA Cantão
• ASMUBIP – Associação das Mulheres Trabalhadoras Rurais do Bico do Papagaio.
• AMAE – Associação de Mulheres Artesãs e Empreendedoras de Lajeado
• ICAPIB – Instituto de Caciques e Povos Indígenas na Ilha do Bananal
• APAS – Associação dos Pequenos Apicultores do Projeto SUDAM
• AGROP – Associação dos Agricultores Familiares e Agroindustriais de Palmas
• Escola Família Agrícola de Porto Nacional
• Associação Indígena Apinajé Pyka Mex 

Would you like to join us in realizing one of the longest biodiversity corridors on Earth? Become one of the First 600 to join our mission of hope and action HERE.

The Black Jaguar Foundation now has a new warehouse located on the main road to Santana do Araguaia (Pará, Brazil), which makes it much easier for our suppliers to deliver and pick up materials for our ecological restoration activities. The new space is 330m², and includes an office and three storage rooms – one of which is refrigerated 24/7 to properly store large quantities of native seeds that will be used for seedling production or muvuca (a mix of different native seed species) used for the direct seeding technique.

This new warehouse is a major achievement for us! It allows us to properly store seeds purchased from Ressemear, as well as work tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and uniforms.

Would you like to join us in realizing one of the longest biodiversity corridors on Earth? Become one of the First 600 to join our mission of hope and action HERE.

Our initiator, Ben Valks, traveled to Xinguara (Pará, Brazil) to meet with Antônio Guimarães, the municipal secretary of environment, sanitation, and tourism. The goal of the visit was to start conversations on establishing a second ecological restoration hub in the state of Pará.

Ben Valks presented the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor and spoke with the secretary, who showed great interest in joining the project and promoting ecological restoration on farms in the region!

Check out the testimonial that Antônio Guimarães recorded after the project presentation: 

Would you like to join us in realizing one of the longest biodiversity corridors on Earth? Become one of the First 600 to join our mission of hope and action HERE.

During Women’s History Month, we want to celebrate the women seed collectors who are members of the BJF Araguaia Seed Network. Currently, 70% of the network is made up of women. Each with her own story – one even more inspiring than the next – responsible for making this initiative possible.

To honor them, we invited them to share their stories and talk about how the BJF Araguaia Seed Network has impacted their lives. Shall we watch together? Let’s watch their stories together!

SOCORRO

Socorro explains how collecting seeds has improved her income and complemented the work she already does as an extractivist at the Ama Cantão.

Now the native seeds are sold to the Black Jaguar Foundation and other ecological restoration projects, while the rest of the fruit is used to make flours, vinegars and other delicious products!

TERESINHA

Meet Teresinha, from Barreira do Campo. By collecting and selling seeds, Teresinha can now help her daughter pay for college. In addition to contributing to the restoration of ecosystems, Ressemear (The BJF Araguaia Seed Network) sows dreams!

SAMARA

Meet Samara, from Barreira do Campo, and find out how she balances her work routine with seed collection!

Would you like to join us in realizing one of the longest biodiversity corridors on Earth? Become one of the First 600 to join our mission of hope and action HERE.

The Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor continues to draw attention and receive visitors! This time, we had a very special visit of: Mr. André Driessen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Brazil, and Mr. Emiel Mulder, Biodiversity Counselor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil.

During the visit, our guests had the opportunity to see firsthand the work carried out by the Black Jaguar Foundation. It was a great opportunity to showcase the stages of the restoration cycle—from seed collection, nursery production, and community engagement to partnerships with local landowners and, finally, the gradual transformation of degraded areas into resilient forests. 

Check out more images from the visit: 

Would you like to join us in realizing one of the longest biodiversity corridors on Earth? Become one of the First 600 to join our mission of hope and action HERE.

APPLY HERE

Are you ready to make a real, lasting impact on our planet? We are leading one of the world’s largest reforestation projects: the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor in Brazil. 

We are not just planting trees, but restoring entire ecosystems, rebuilding biodiversity, and securing a sustainable future for generations to come. Our approach is rooted in science, innovation, and collaboration with local communities and global partners, thereby reviving landscapes, creating green jobs, and inspiring a new era of environmental stewardship.  

With over 1 million trees planted and strong partnerships, we are scaling up. To drive this growth, we are seeking a Senior Partnerships Coordinator Europe —a purpose-driven connector ready to turn ambition into action, bringing hope for future generations.  

The Role   

As Senior Partnerships Coordinator Europe, you will cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic organizations and corporate sponsors, inspiring them with BJF’s mission as well as with your own story, to invest in one of the world’s most ambitious restoration projects.  

Besides strengthening the existing partnerships (e.g. UBS Optimus Foundation) and networks in Europe, you will be creating new connections as well. This role is both strategic and hands-on: building trust, crafting compelling narratives, and negotiating high-value partnerships. More than fundraising, you will be selling hope and a vision for a thriving planet.  

If you are a natural connector with a passion for sustainability, philanthropy, and high-impact fundraising, this is your opportunity to be part of something truly meaningful and leave a lasting legacy.  

Interested?  

If you are excited about the opportunity to help drive one of the most impactful reforestation initiatives globally, we invite you to apply HERE. 

Would you like to join us in realizing one of the longest biodiversity corridors on Earth? Become one of the First 600 to join our mission of hope and action HERE.

For the second consecutive year, we invited partner farmers and their children to take part in a symbolic planting event! 

This activity is especially symbolic as we will watch these trees grow alongside the children who, in the future, will be responsible for their preservation. 

The Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor proves that environmental care and agriculture can go hand in hand. After all, together we are much stronger! 

Would you like to join us in realizing one of the longest biodiversity corridors on Earth? Become one of the First 600 to join our mission of hope and action HERE.