Brazil 2022 - Sustainable Development in the Barra Velha Indigenous Territory

PROJECT REPORT

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Dear friend,

Thanks to your support, a total of 20,000 trees were planted to restore 6 hectares of land in the Barra Velha Indigenous community, in Bahia, Brazil.

Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive.

None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you!

What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in Brazil. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.

OVERVIEW

The principal objective of this project was the creation of an Agroforestry and EcologicalCorridorinBocadeMata,anindigenouscommunityinBahia,Brazil.This initiative aims to provide socioeconomic opportunities for the local indigenous population while simultaneously regenerating the area's flora and fauna. By promoting ethno- and eco-tourism, the project will introduce a new dimension to visiting the region, thereby generating additional income for communities located awayfromthemaintouristareas.

ATLANTIC FOREST RESTORATION

ByLauraLucasTrujillo ProjectManager,Brazil

Stretching along Brazil's entire eastern coast, the Atlantic Forest once covered a vast expanse but has now been dramatically reduced, with around 74% of its original vegetation lost to centuries of deforestation. Home to 60% of Brazil's population, this biome is a critical source of water, food, medicine, and climate regulation. It also holds deep cultural and heritage significance for Indigenous and local communities, preserving invaluable traditional knowledge.

The Atlantic Forest is also recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world, renowned for its rich array of endemic species and rivaling the Amazon Rainforest in biodiversity. However, this vibrant ecosystem faces threats from mining, agriculture, and urban expansion. This has lead to the endangerment of several iconic species, including the golden lion tamarin, the Brazilian woolly spider monkey, the southern muriqui, and the jaguar, among others.

Restoring degraded areas by planting trees is crucial for rebuilding and conserving the Atlantic Forest´s rich biodiversity, combating climate change, and revitalizing ecosystem services that are vital for both local communities and global environmental health.

PATAXÓ INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

ByLauraLucasTrujillo ProjectManager,Brazil

The Pataxó community in Bahia, Brazil, is an indigenous group known for their rich cultural heritage and deep connection to the environment. They inhabit the southern part of Bahia and parts of Minas Gerais, with significant populations in areas like the Monte Pascoal, Barra Velha, Corumbau, Jaqueira, and Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe Indigenous Lands.

The Pataxó people have a strong spiritual relationship with the land, which guides their sustainable use of resources and their efforts in ecological restoration and conservation. Their traditional knowledge encompasses the management of local ecosystems such as the Atlantic Forest and its coastal ecotones, contributing significantly to biodiversity preservation.

Their culture is expressed through various forms, including crafts, dances, music, and language. Pataxó crafts are made from natural materials such as wood, seeds, and straw, reflecting their ancestral culture and traditions. Despite being a source of income, these crafts bring in limited funds for the community. And this is where restoration practices come in.

The restoration of degraded land through Agroforestry Systems offers a sustainable economic solution, enabling the production of craft materials without depleting the forest, while enhancing food security and environmental preservation. In addition, there are many jobs associated with reforestation projects.

For the Pataxó communities of Bahia, agroforestry is not merely a method of land use, or an extra income, but a manifestation of their ancestral knowledge and a testament to their resilience in the face of environmental and socio-economic challenges. By embracing agroforestry, the Pataxó are able to sustain their way of life, protect the biodiversity of their lands, and ensure the well-being of future generations. As such, agroforestry systems stand as a beacon of sustainable development, illustrating how traditional knowledge and modern conservation efforts can converge to create a more sustainable and equitable world.

YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP

Outlined in yellow, you will see the Atlantic Forest´s ecoregion, as denominated by WWF. The green pin is where your trees were planted!

YOUR IMPACT ZOOMING INTO

Connecting fragments of Atlantic Forest through restoration is essential for preserving biodiversity, enabling gene flow between isolated populations to increase genetic diversity, and species resilience. This project connected degraded areas of the Atlantic Forest to the National Park Monte Pascoal. This connectivity expands habitats for numerous endemic and endangered species, bolstering their chances of survival. Moreover, it amplifies the forest's capacity for carbon sequestration, contributingsignificantlytoclimatechangemitigation.

Fig 1. In dark green, the Monte Pascoal National Park, an important Atlantic Forest protected area (left) and the area reforested in red (right).

TREE SPECIES PLANTED

More than 50 native Atlantic Forest species were planted! The list below shows the primaryspeciesthatwereplanted:

PRIMARY SPECIES PLANTED

Agasalho de Anum (Sparattanthelium botocudorum)

Pau Brasil (Paubrasilia echinata)

Anjico Cangalha (Paraptadenia rigida)

Anjico Canjiquinha (Peltophorum dubium)

Inga Branco (Inga laurina)

Caju (Anacardium occidentale)

Faveiro (Dimorphandra mollis)

Embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya)

Ipê Felpudo (Zeyheria tuberculosa)

Aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius)

Boleira (Joannesia princeps)

Mutambo (Guazuma ulmifolia)

Capixingui (Croton floribundus)

Pau-cigarra (Senna multijuga)

Escova de Macaco (Apeiba tibourbou)

Pau Sangue (Pterocarpus rohrii)

Urucum (Bixa orellana)

Genipapo (Genipa americana)

Peroba (Paratecoma peroba)

Bicuiba (Virola bicuhyba)

Amescla (Protium aracouchini)

Cupâ (Pouteria butyrocarpa)

Grão de Galo (Pradosia lactescens)

Cacau (Theobroma cacao)

Ypê Roxo (Handroanthus impetiginosus)

Agoniada (Himatanthus bracteatus)

Arapati (Arapatiella psilophylla)

Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum)

Jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril)

Biriba (Eschweleira ovata)

Vinhático (Platymenia reticulata)

Pindaíba (Xylopia sericea)

Putumuju (Centrolobium robustum)

Ingá de Metros (Ingá edulis)

Cinco Folha (Sparattosperma leucanthum)

Fruto de sabiá (Acnistus arborescens)

Tucaneiro (Citarexylum myrianthum)

Curindiba (Trema micrantha)

Fedegoso (Senna alata)

Jequitibá (Cariniana legalis)

Ipê amarelo (Handroanthus chrysotrichus)

Guapuruvu (Schizolobium parahyba)

Cajazinho (Spondias mombim)

Goiaba (Psidium guajava)

Cajazão (Spondias venulosa)

Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora)

Pau pombo (Tapirira guianensis)

RESTORATION WITH AGROFORESTRY

Agroforestry systems improve environmental and social conditions for indigenous communities by providing food security and restoring previously degraded lands. These systems, which integrate trees with food crops and fruits, are deeply rooted in traditional ecological knowledge, offering a sustainable alternative that respects the balance between nature and human needs. Such practices not only support the physical well-being of communities through increased biodiversity and improved soil health, but also reinforce cultural and ancestral connections to the land, contributing to a holistic sense of well-being and autonomy. These systems align with the principles of agroecology, aiming for truly sustainable agriculture that involves multidisciplinary agents, social movements, and diverse knowledge bases*.

This Agroforestry system, in particular, was arranged with the spacing of 3 x 1 m, with the planting of annual crops produced from seeds provided by a local Pataxó cooperative. With regard to the planting density, the idea is to create dense coverage, so pioneer trees and crops are planted first. These include bananas, mandioca (cassava) and beans. These crops help prepare and protect the soil to make the best planting conditions for native tree species that take longer to settle, so that they have the chance to grow sucessfully and healthily.

*Felipe, R. T. A., et al. (2023). Sistemas Agroflorestais Agroecológicos: Trajetórias, Perspectivas e Desafios nos Territórios do Brasil.

DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT

Throughauthenticandinformativestorytelling,wehelpdonorsrelatetothepeople who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happeningontheground.

BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS

The implementation of agroforetry systems that connect forest fragments around Monte Pascoal National Park, part of the Pataxó Territory, significantly benefits biodiversity. It allows isolated populations of fauna and flora to connect, enhancing gene flow and reducing the risk of inbreeding. This connectivity supports species migration and adaptation, crucial for maintaining ecological balance and resilience against climate change. For the indigenous communities, preserving this biodiversity is essential, not only for the ecosystem's health but also for their cultural and spiritual practices that depend on the forest.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

Through this partnership, you supported the training and implementation of agroforestry systems for 15 families in the Boca da Mata Indigenous community. 50 jobs were generated along the restoration chain; from seed collection to producingseedlings,planting,maintenance,andmonitoring.

Alongside the primary restoration work, a community-focused tree planting and educational event was organized to engage both adults and young members, including 28 participants and 22 students from the school village. It was a day full of learning and tree planting, covering knowledge on seedling and tree care, area management,plantingpracticesandtheimportanceofrestoration.

This initiative not only enhanced environmental awareness and restoration skills but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility towards land conservation.This collaborative effort not only aids in the ecological recovery of degradedareasbutalsostrengthenscommunitybondsandensuresthetransferof vitalecologicalknowledgetofuturegenerations.

THIS PROJECT HAS A DIFFERENT ELEMENT, ONE TREE PLANTED GAVE THE PATAXÓ PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT SEEDS, PRODUCE SEEDLINGS AND PLANT THEM IN THEIR AREAS.

IT BROUGHT A REFLECTION ON INCLUSION AND APPRECIATION OF THE STANDING FOREST, IN ADDITION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING IT RAFAEL MARINHO ROCHA (PROJECT COORDINATOR).

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

WHAT ARE SDGS?

Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate)ourimpactontheplanet.Treesareonesuchsolution.

From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting treescanaddressall17sustainabledevelopmentgoals.

"By planting trees in the Atlantic Forest, we can significantly protect biodiversity, restore vital watersheds, preserve our cultural heritage, and stimulate economic development for local communities. Your support has been instrumental in advancing these goals, fostering a vision for a sustainable and resilient future. Thank you for your

support.Welookforwardtoplantingmoretreeswithyousoon!"

Laura Lucas Trujillo Brazil Project Manager