Restoring 160 hectares of forest in the southwestern Amazon will create vital new habitats for wildlife, helping protect species that are increasingly under threat. The project will reintroduce native trees that provide food and shelter for countless birds and mammals, from fruit-bearing species that sustain local fauna to threatened trees like Cedrela fissilis, Amburana acreana, and Swietenia macrophylla that enrich forest diversity. By expanding and connecting habitats, the initiative supports the survival of iconic and endangered animals such as the black-faced black spider monkey (Ateles chamek), the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), and the lowland tapir (Tapirus sp.), while strengthening ecological corridors essential for long-term resilience. These ecological gains extend far beyond biodiversity: the Amazon is a global climate regulator, recycling up to 75% of rainfall through evapotranspiration and creating the “flying rivers” that carry moisture across South America. Planting 1,000,000 native trees—including giants like the Samaúma (Ceiba pentandra), which can release 1,000 liters of water into the atmosphere daily—will restore this natural water cycle, prevent soil erosion, increase humidity, and stabilize the climate, reinforcing the Amazon’s role as one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.

At the heart of this project are the local communities who live alongside and depend on the forest. In Machadinho d’Oeste, Rondônia, around 50 families will directly benefit through new employment opportunities in tree planting, maintenance, and the removal of invasive species. Community members will receive training, fair wages, and protective equipment, ensuring safe and meaningful participation in restoring their land. Beyond immediate jobs, the project will strengthen long-term livelihoods by expanding opportunities to harvest non-timber forest products from restored areas, creating a more resilient local economy. These efforts not only support families today but also build skills and knowledge for future generations. Indirectly, the project will extend benefits to neighboring landowners, local organizations, and academic institutions, all of whom gain from the environmental services of healthier forests—ranging from climate regulation to biodiversity conservation. By investing in both people and nature, the project ensures that ecological restoration goes hand in hand with community well-being.