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EXPANDING OUR OPERATIONS TO THE XINGUARA REGION

Last week, our landraising team participated in the very Agribusiness ESG meeting of the state of Pará, in Xinguara (Brazil). During the meeting, we had the opportunity to present our project and strengthen relationships with rural producers in the region. The event, held by Aliança Paraense pela Carne, aimed to balance corporate and environmental governance in the agricultural sector in the state.

The event’s program included a reading of the Marabá Manifesto – a document signed last year by the Alliance, which outlined the following topics, among others:

A big thank you to the rural producers that participated in the event, many of which showed great enthusiasm towards our project. A special thank you to Clécio Witeck and Daniel Cappellari, who represent the Secretary of Environment of, Mr. Roque Quagliato and family, and the Director of Instituto Fórum do Futuro, Márcio Miranda.

Our project depends largely on the engagement of rural landowners in the region. Without them, it would not be possible to realize the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor. We are very happy to see our community grow!

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.

Caixa Federal Bank, one of the Black Jaguar Foundation’s loyal partners, is one of the three largest financial institutes in Latin America. Together, we will be planting 1 million trees in the coming years. During this planting season, we have already started planting seedlings and seeds with CAIXA’s support!

In 2022, CAIXA visited the BJF restoration sites and carried out extensive verification processes prior to signing our agreement in March. Have a look at some CAIXA team visiting the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor below.

CAIXA team visiting the BJF ecological restoration sites

Ecological restoration is the main objective of our partnership, but for this to happen, a lot of preparations are needed leading up to the rainy season.

SEEDLING PRODUCTION IN OUR NURSERY

Months before the start of the rainy season, we start collecting and buying native seeds, to use in the production of seedlings or direct seeding.

To grow these seeds, we need dedicated individuals working hard on a daily basis. That’s why we have increased the number of people working in the BJF Nursery!

In our nursery, everyone is trained and qualified for the different activities including: sowing seeds, transplanting seedlings, managing irrigation, ensuring the growth and resilience of seedlings and, finally,  sending the seedlings to our restoration sites.

After going through these processes, the seedlings become Strong and healthy! Only then are they ready to be planted in our partner farms.

PLANTING IN OUR RESTORATION SITES

Our field assistants are trained in different planting activities: land preparation, use of fertilizers, building firebreaks, seeding, and taking care of seedlings, among Other activities. All of therm receive close guidence from our Field and Forest Operations Coordinators, and Restoration Analysts and Field Supervisors.

Before starting activities, our team receives theoretical and practical training in work safety. Only then are we ready to perform our duties safely and efficiently – for our BJF team and the environment.

After all these steps, it’s time to make the ecological restoration happen! Since an image says more than a thousand words, check out some images of our team working to carry out the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor:

Incredible, right? None of this would be possible without the partnership with CAIXA Econômica Federal. We are very happy with the trust placed in our work and are hope that this will be a long term partnership in the realization of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor.

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.

Realizing the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor requires a lot more than planting trees. Our success is a mixture of people – fundraising – landraising and restoration – all of which depend on your support. Over the years we have developed the BJF cycle of restoration, starting with the local community, followed by the science, the planting and the years (after)care. Today, we have 17 steps to safeguard our long-term impact and bring back biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

The BJF Restoration Cycle

The 17 quality steps to bring back Healthy forests

Map displaying the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor region.

Planting

As you can see, planting trees is only one of 17 steps of our cycle of ecological restoration! It all starts with a seed – many of which come from the Araguaia Seed Network! This seed is then germinated in the BJF’s large scale nursery, which produces over 500,000 seedlings per cycle.

In the meantime, preparing the soil, makes sure fences are temporarily built where needed to protect our small seedlings grazing on the new trees, removing invasive grasses and controlling ant populations.

Monitoring and Maintenance

To keep our forests healthy, we need your help on two fronts: maintenance and protection of our planted trees.

After the seedlings and seeds have been planted, we need to ensure an environment where they are able to grow and contribute to heathy and functioning ecosystems. In many cases, this means that we need to build fences to protect our recently germinated seedlings. We also cannot forget about the trees planted in past planting seasons! These need to be maintained, which can take up to three years.

The picture below shows one of our native trees after 2 years!

Community

Our grand project of ecological restoration can only move forward with the support of local communities on the ground. The reason for this is that we work in a unique way, we don’t buy land, but instead partner with local farmers who have an environmental deficit! The Black Jaguar Foundation’s project of restoring the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor was initiated under the premise that if all Legal Reserves and Private Protected Areas in Brazil complied with this forest code, the ecosystem services in the Amazon Rainforest and Cerrado Savanna would be working at full speed.

It is in the benefit of landowners to comply with this law, making this a win-win-win partnership.

As a means of obtaining seeds for our project, we have also developed our very own seed collective. The Araguaia Seed Network started as a means of providing our project with quality native seeds and is already making a real difference for communities living in the Araguaia region! Last year, our field team started training sessions for communities living in settlements in the Araguaia region and have already completed the first cycle of training modules.

Another important pillar in our cycle is environmental education. With the inauguration of our large-scale nursery, many educational and engagement workshops were held by our team in the field over the past year.

Engaging the community is a core aspect of our project as we are ultimately doing this for them and depend on their support!

Research

Research is a vital step before the ecological restoration process. We must know what the original ecosystem looked like before we are able to restore it to these original conditions and make sure to plant the right native trees to bring back biodiversity to the region.

At the Black Jaguar Foundation our first task was to extensively map the whole Araguaia corridor area, looking into the prior land use, the soil composition, the existing flora and fauna and much more.

Our research is ongoing and we are constantly learning and adapting our techniques and our approach.

Below, you can see how the corridor areas changed from 1985 to 2017.

As the years go by and our 5th planting season is around the corner, we are growing more trees, and so is our team and our organisation. Together we are learning and improving, every day we go a bit further and are becoming more experienced in our work of restoration. We have learnt to work stronger together, to collaborate and work holistically with the local community and to be patient, with our work and with our trees!

DONATE YOUR TREE TODAY

As of 2022, The Black Jaguar Foundation is happy to be one of the environmental solutions showcased on the 1% for the planet platform!

1% for the Planet is a global movement inspiring business to support environmental solutions through annual memberships and everyday actions. It has already enabled us to make great connections including our very first 1% for the planet partner: Green Gear Supply! The movement was founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies on the premise that: companies profit from the resources they take from the Earth and should therefore protect those resources!

Restoring the balance between nature and humankind is more important than ever before…

As noted in the 1% for the planet platform, the current level of environmental giving is only 3% of total philanthropic actions. This is far from enough to solve climate issues that need to be urgently addressed to ensure a healthy planet for our future generations.

That’s why the 1% for the planet platform incentivizes businesses and environmental projects to be “all together for the planet”. Through the 1% for the Planet platform, business and individual members can engage directly with approved Environmental Partners and offer monetary donations, volunteer time, and service donations.

Our journey with 1% for the Planet 

Becoming a 1% for the Planet partner involves a careful vetting process which helps ensure the credibility of environmental projects. The Black Jaguar Foundation is proud to be showcased on the platform, together with some other inspiring environmental projects carrying out incredible work in the areas of climate, food, land, pollution, water and wildlife. We are very happy to be a part of the 1% for the Planet community of nearly 4,000 Environmental Partners in more than 90 countries. So far, over $265 million has been certified to support approved Environmental Partners.

Soon, we hope to connect with many different organizations and individuals working towards a greener future and that many of these join us in realizing the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor! Find out how you can become one of our 1% for the planet partners by accessing their platform here.

Who has joined us so far? 

Green Gear Supply, our first official 1% for the planet partner, aims to inspire a more sustainable and equitable world through innovative products – starting with their rain poncho. Their reusable and recyclable poncho is made from responsibly sourced materials and perfect for outdoor activities!

Find out more about Green Gear Supply by visiting their website: https://www.greengearsupply.com/

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.

Reforestation is a generic term for replanting trees in a specific area with various goals, including (ecological) restoration. The restoration concept relates to a more complex and essential process that “assists the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed” (SER, Society for Ecological Restoration).

Ecological restoration and reforestation are terms that we use often, which can sometimes be understood to mean the same thing. In the video below, Dimitrio Schievenin (BJF Project Coordinator), explains the difference between both terms and why this is so important!

In the case of a forest, we can say that planting trees or seeds is the fundamental step to bring a degraded area closer to its original state. A newly planted forest creates the ideal conditions that both prevent invasive species from taking over and encourage a diverse set of species to flourish in a degraded area, allowing the rebirth of ecosystem dynamics and services.

Therefore, conceptually speaking, it is correct to assume that the BJF, along with its technical partners, is developing a reforestation endeavour with ecological restoration purposes along the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor, by planting the correct mix of indigenous trees and accelerate nature’s process of regeneration. Nevertheless, it is more complex than this, so keep reading for a better understanding of both terms!

Reforestation involves bringing back any forest that has been degraded. Nevertheless, this can be done without considering species composition or the functionality of the ecosystem. We could, for instance, reforest a region using only one species of tree, and would not have to try and restore the biome to what it once was.

Ecological restoration goes beyond this – accounting for the conservation of biodiversity, species composition, and the restoration of the degraded ecosystem to its original conditions as much as possible. The goal is to bring back the fauna and flora living in the region by bringing back their ways of sustaining themselves.

Therefore, even though it is possible to carry our ecological restoration through reforestation, reforestation does not have to encompass all the steps needed for ecological restoration.

Another important aspect to consider is that ecological restoration also involves restoring non-forest ecosystems – including savannas and grasslands. At the Black Jaguar Foundation, for example, we work with the restoration of the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado, which is known for being the savanna with the greatest biodiversity in the world.

Ecological restoration is a lot more than planting trees. To conduct it, one needs in-depth knowledge of the biome’s native tree species, to enable a favourable environment for biodiversity to return.

Seeing the natural regeneration of native species and return of animals to our restoration sites is one of the best signs that our ecological restoration efforts are working.

It shows that we are restoring the conditions needed for life to exist in harmony in their natural habitat. Watch the vídeo below where our Field Coordinator, Carlos Eduardo Oliveira, further explains this restoration technique!

To carry out our ecological restoration activities efficiently and thoroughly, we developed the BJF Restoration Cycle, which consists of 17 different steps!

Your support has been crucial in all of this. Would you like to know more about how you can support the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor?

Donate trees HERE or join the First 600 HERE!

We are continuing our restoration efforts at full speed in 12 partner farms!  

At the start of the month, we started operations in one of our largest restoration sites so far. The restoration area is located a bit further from the centre of Santana do Araguaia than our other registration sites and our field team has done their best to improve logistical operations and facilitate access to the farm. Despite the challenges, we are planting as much as possible during this rainy season.  

Given the distance of this recently operational site from our other areas, we built lodging facilities to keep our team from having to travel for extended periods of time after their workday. After the team settled down in their new temporary home, we started the ecological restoration!   

 During the first few weeks, we already improved access to the farm and prepared the soil in the first restoration site – which consists of 8 polygons! This involved removing invasive grasses to allow for natural regeneration and will soon start making holes in the ground for direct seeding! 

Direct seeding is the restoration technique that will be used in the restoration site pictured above. Together with our team of analysts and nursery workers, our seed production analyst, Laís D’Isep, mixed the seeds that will be planted, and these will soon be transported to the site.

As you can see, our ecological restoration activities require a lot of planning and logistics. This is yet another reason as to why we need your support more than ever!

Contribute to the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor by donating trees HERE or joining the First 600 Sponsors HERE

First and foremost, a big round of applause to our nursery team, who successfully produced more than the expected 500,000 seedlings for our current planting season! Impressive, right? In spite of all the challenges we had to overcome, we exceeded expectations.

We are very happy with what the BJF Nursery has become. It motivates us to see that our nursery is already providing many local job opportunities, and successfully producing healthy seedlings.

This is a huge milestone that has only been possible with your support! The nursery also includes space for workshops and environmental education, and is already becoming a central hub for ecological restoration along the Araguaia biodiversity corridor.

Have a look at our fully operational tree nursery:

Have a look at how our nursery area looked prior to construction two years ago: 

Thanks to your support, we surpassed expectations last year! Keep reading to have a better understanding of how our nursery works.

It all starts with a seed, many of which are bought from the Araguaia Seed Network! This seed is then cleaned to prevent any pathogens from affecting the seedling. Simultaneously, the substrate which will receive the seed is prepared and added to tubes that will hold the seedling. 

We have two nurseries: an inside nursery and an outside nursery. Once the tubes are ready and full of substrate, they are taken to our inside nursery, a covered space that protects the seedling from excessive sunlight. Here, they are able to grow in more controlled conditions. After developing in the inside nursery, the seedlings are taken to the outside nursery. This is an open area where the seedling is exposed to conditions similar to those of the field and can become resilient.

In the video below, seedling production analyst, Norivania Diniz, explains the structure of our inside and outside nurseries:

Thank you for your continued support, enabling us to reach such incredible milestones! Contribute to the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor by donating trees HERE or joining the First 600 Sponsors HERE

We are incredibly proud of the Black Jaguar Foundation’s Araguaia Seed Network. What started as a means of providing seeds for our project of ecological restoration is now making a real difference for communities living in the Araguaia region!

Last year, our field team started training sessions for communities living in settlements in the Araguaia region. They have visited many different settlements, providing training sessions and technical equipment, to incentivise individuals to become a part of our project. Each time they visit a community, they bring back new stories. So today, we thought to share some of these stories with you – starting with Mrs. Eunice and Mr. Pedro.

Mrs. Eunice and Mr. Pedro belong to a river community in the Araguaia region and grow casava in their plantation to produce mandioca flour. Nevertheless, as Ms. Eunice put it in the video above, she believes that:

 “planting casava and Building plantations is not the future. For our future it would be better to plant and collect the seeds so we can reforest this whole world”.  

She explains that producing casava flour takes a lot of work and does not generate as much income as collecting seeds does. Further, Eunice expresses a real desire to restore the ecosystems around her: 

“For a long time, I have wanted to reforest and did not manage. But now with the support of these people – we will get there – together!”

We are very happy to have such dedicated individuals working with us to realize the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor. The Araguaia Seed Network’s goal is not just to purchase seeds and use them for planting – it is also to value and positively influence the lives of our community of seed collectors!

Collecting seeds is a continuous activity that forces people to interact with each other and with nature. Every encounter brings with it something new, and we are grateful for the opportunity to engage in these wonderful exchanges!

The BJF team is currently working to expand the list of seeds we are purchasing for ecological restoration. We do this by speaking to our seed collectors, seeing which native seeds they can find most easily, and checking whether these are adaptable for flooded areas and other harsh conditions that categorize our restoration sites.

One of the new species that we have recently started collecting is Cafezinho. The picture below shows Dona Izabel e Dioclessio, two members of the Araguaia Seed Network who live in a settlement in Ipiracema, Caseara. They own a plot of land in the region where they grow casava and herd cattle and have been collecting seeds for five months. In their hands, you can see a bag of Cafezinho seeds! They explained to us that though collecting seeds can take up to a whole afternoon, it is worth it – for themselves and our planet.

We are incredibly proud of the community of seed collectors that has formed under the Araguaia Seed Network. A big round of applause for all their achievements so far! Have a look at one of these below – their graduation for our training sessions on seed collection, taught by BJF Seed production analyst Lais D’Ísep.

Thank you for your continued support, enabling us to develop our Araguaia Seed Collective! Contribute to the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor by donating trees HERE or joining the First 600 Sponsors HERE

The young generation is our future! A few weeks ago, we to presented our project to the Federal Institute of Pará’s (IFPA),  future environmental and agricultural, in Santana do Araguaia!

Our field team organized two sessions for the students to get to know the Black Jaguar Foundation, including a practical experience producing seedlings in the BJF nursery! Prior to this, our team visited students at the university and provided a general introduction to the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor and how we are realizing it – from rural partnerships to our processes of ecological restoration.

During the first session, students also had the opportunity to speak to our human resources sector, clarify any doubts, and receive a general overview of job opportunities at the Black Jaguar Foundation.

The second session took place in the following day, where we organized a practical overview of seed production in the BJF Nursery. Out Seedling production analyst, Norivania Diniz, welcomed the students in our nursery, showed them all the main activities of the BJF nursery, and put everyone to work!

Throughout all activities involving seeds and seedlings, the future environmental and agricultural engineers showed great interest in becoming a part of our project. It makes us very happy to see this and we hope to work with some of these wonderful minds in the future.

 Contribute to the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor by donating trees HERE or joining the First 600 Sponsors HERE

With 2023 now fully in motion, we would like to share with you some of the planting action that is happening on the ground.

Watch the video below to meet our field team and have a brief overview of the Black Jaguar Foundation’s planting season!

Over the years, we have significantly expanded our team, which now includes over 135 people directly employed and another 35 indirectly employed by the BJF. We have also improved our ecological restoration techniques, created our very own Araguaia Seed Network, and built a BJF nursery that produces over 500,000 seedlings every year.

Together, we are creating a healthier planet for our future generations. 

Get involved to Preserve our Planet!