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IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE
UNTIL IT'S DONE

Nelson Mandela

© Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Taiwan
Alves da Silva

Field Supervisor

Marcos
Antonio

Field Supervisor

Erivelto
Carvalho

Field Supervisor

Mayk
Santos Guimarães

Field Supervisor

OUR ADVISORY BOARD

Camila
Lefèvre

Partner
Vieira Rezende Advogados

Fernando A.
Simões Filho

Managing Partner
Bemtevi Investimento Social

Fernando
Bedaque

Partner
Denmark, Rossi, Beraldo & Bedaque Advocacia

Sheilla Pereira
Albuquerque

COO South & Southeast
Agrogalaxy

The Black Jaguar Foundation Cycle of Reforestation

Community building

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Community Engagement

Together with local communities, indigenous groups, schools, businesses, technical partners and other non-profits, we make the restoration process happen.

Landowner partnerships

We partner with farmers to restore their degraded lands and help them comply with the Brazilian Forest Code.

Fire Brigade

Training the local community to put out and control fires as well as supplying these with tools such as water tanks and fire hoses.

Environmental Education

Informing about the importance of our ecosystems, their services and how they should be restored for the future of the Araguaia River, agribusiness and compliance with the Brazilian Forest Code.

Science and research

SCIENCE & RESEARCH

Mapping

Our local team identifies landowners and assesses the characteristics of the land, to map the areas that need to be restored.

Biodiversity planning

Our expert forest engineers evaluate the right combination of indigenous trees to be planted and select the required methods of restoration.

Scientific partnerships

We partner with renowned scientists to carry out all reforestation tasks to the highest possible standards.

Evidence based restoration

Our team of Local Forest Engineers bring experience and knowledge based on past experiences, research and in close collaboration with other leading research institutions and partners.

Planting

PLANTING

Tree nursery construction

We build and develop our own tree nurseries for native trees, allowing a diverse and resilient range of trees to be grown locally

Seed collection

In cooperation with indigenous groups and local seed collectors, we collect the specific seeds we need for our native trees. We also create our own Araguaia Seed Collective.

Soil Preparation & Recovery

Before planting, the land must be equalized, and rocks/stones/trunks removed. This process includes the removal of invasive grass species, the control of ant populations and applying (natural fertilizers)

Fence construction

We construct fences around the restoration sites to protect your small growing trees in areas where they are vulnerable to cattle.

Logistics

Our restoration sites are dispersed along the 2600km Araguaia river. Each requires different materials, all of which must be transported, often at high costs, to these extremely remote restoration sites.

Planting trees and seeds

Joined by a passionate team of local laborers, we implement the restoration, with love and care: on average 1,667 trees per hectare, planted by hand.

3 Years care

3 YEAR CARE

3 years maintenance

The first 3 years we must make sure our seedlings grow, in the right mix and invasive species are removed, so that a healthy ecosystem can start to grow.

Up to 20 years of monitoring

We are here to stay. After we have planted the trees we monitor their growth, to make sure a self-sustaining ecosystem will come back; our Official Monitoring Protocol.

Fire Prevention

After planting so many native trees we make sure that natural barriers and fire lookouts are created to make sure that what has been planted will not go up in fire next year.

Your personal tree certificate is almost yours.

Click on the image to see an example ›

Piet-Hein Goossens

FINANCE CONSULTANT

About me

Piet-Hein has over 14 years of experience at Accenture providing financial training and consulting. Recently he had been coordinating Accenture's Battle-for-Good Team. In line with this initiative, Piet-Hein is working with the BJF core team, committing part of his time to help establish the new BJF financial system and sharing his extensive knowledge to contribute to the progress of the BJF mission.

Ben Valks

INITIATOR

About me

Ben is a nature lover, adventurer, and entrepreneur. During his numerous expeditions to photograph wild jaguars in the heart of Brazil, it was not the black jaguar he encountered but the drastically deforested Amazon. Instead of returning to pursue more business dreams, he decided to start giving back to our vulnerable planet. He initiated the BJF and now fully devotes his energy and skills to make the dream of the Black Jaguar Foundation come true.

Read more about the inspiring story behind the BJF

Marcelle Grumberg

Articulation Coordinator

About me

Marcelle is an Envrionmental and Sanitary Engineer with a specialization in Geoprocessing. She has worked in environmental regularization for over five years, dealing with different environmental agencies in the states where she worked. She also cultivated direct relationships with family farmers, and traditional people and communities. By getting to know the particularities and potential of each region, as well as the particular characteristics  of each individual rural producer, such as their humility and charisma, a passion was awakened for Marcelle; which is to act in a meaningful way in the area, in an effort to demonstrate the importance of environmental preservation.

Rick Gemser

Partnerships Coordinator

About me

After graduating, Rick started a career in the Music and Entertainment business at a young age in various National and International positions. As a marketing and business development specialist, everything revolved around commerce, targets and making money. Now the time has come to give something back and to combine his further career with this amazing project! In addition, his network and experience come in handy to 'ignite' as many companies and organizations as possible with this important mission. No longer be part of the problem, but part of the solution!

Kaléo Pereira

Restoration Analyst

About me

Kaleo is our new Restoration Analyst! He is a Forest Engineer, with a Master Degree in Applied Statistic and Biometry, and a Doctoral in Forest Engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa.

Erivelto Carvalho

Field Supervisor

About me

Erivelto Carvalho lives in Santana do Araguaia, in the State of Pará. Erivelto works as the Field Supervisor, planting seedlings and seeds, maintaining the areas, and helping the team in the field. And he has a great love and admiration for nature.

Norivania Diniz

Seed Production Analyst

About me

Norivânia is our new Seedling Production Analyst! She is a Forest Enginner, graduated from the Federal University of Tocantins. She has worked in the academic seedling nursery and restoration project sectors, in partnership with the University of Ruraltins. Norivânia coordinates the seedling production nursery for ecological restoration and helps with fieldwork along the biodiversity corridor.

Clarissa Sciarra

Geoprocessing Analyst

About me

Clarissa is trained as a Forest Engineer and has an extensive history working with mapping and geoprocessing. She is a crucial part of our team in Brazil, mapping all future restoration sites to enable us to make a plan for the reforestation.

Carol
Sacramento 

Fundraising Brazil

About me

Carol joined the BJF Team in September 2020. With an extensive career in sales and communications, Carol supports the development of corporate and private partnerships, ensuring the realization of our work of social and environmental transformation in the heart of Brazil.

Tarcila Ursini

Board Member, Sustainability, Strategy, Innovation, People & Culture

About me

Tarcila is an independent advisor to large companies, impact startups and civil society organizations, such as Instituto Capitalismo Consciente Brasil, Banco Santander, Duratex, JSL / Movida Group, Baumgart Group, and the Korin Natural Agriculture Group. She is also a professor and speaker on the theme of governance, sustainability and the new economy. Passionate about music, art and nature, with a strong desire to stimulate transformation and connections, she gives much value to the power of relationships, both in personal life and in business

View her impressive BJF profile page

Marcello
Brito

CEO CBKK

About me

The agro-environmentalist is an invaluable member to our Advisory Board. As a leading figure in the Brazilian agribusiness sector, Marcello offers unparalleled knowledge of the sector and crucially speaks from the viewpoint of one of the primary stakeholders in the Araguaia Corridor, the farmers of the region.

Ingo
Inserhagen

PHD Reseearcher
Embrapa

About me

With years of research experience, Ingo Isernhagen adds a new crucial dimension to our experienced board. Currently at the top of his field, Ingo has completed his doctorate in the Conservation of Forest Ecosystems and is working with Embrapa. His vital technical knowledge will help our work in the field develop to the highest possible standard.

Rebecca
Raposo

Founding Partner
RR Strategy

About me

Rebecca Raposo is our strategy specialist. As Founding Partner of RR Estrategia, Rebecca’s skills in management consultancy and strategic planning are unrivalled. Rebecca’s in-depth knowledge of this area will be vital as we develop into the crucial next stages of the project.

Sheilla Pereira
Albuquerque

CEO South & Southeast
Agrogalaxy

About me

Sheilla Pereira Albuquerque has over 28 years of experience in the biotechnology and agrochemicals industry, having worked at Rohm and Haas Quimica, Dow AgroSciences and Corteva AgriSciences, where she has held leadership positions in operations, marketing and sales. She is currently the CEO of AgroGalaxy, one of the largest retail platforms for agricultural inputs and services for Brazilian agribusiness. She has a degree in Business Administration from Universidade Paulista and an MBA from Business School São Paulo.

Fernando
Bedaque

Partner
Dinamarco, Rossi, Beraldo & Bedaque

About me

Adding to the board’s world-class legal expertise, Fernando Bedaque is a Partner at Dinamarco, Rossi, Beraldo & Bedaque. Specialising in environmental law, Fernando brings with him not only a wealth of knowledge and experience but a deep passion for our planet. Fernando is a long-time and committed friend of the BJF. We are excited for him to help guide us as we continue on our mission.

Fernando A.
Simões Filho

Managing Partner
Bemtevi Investimento Social

About me

Fernando Simões Filho is an expert in the world of social impact businesses. As Managing Partner at Bemtevi Investimento Social, Fernando has a wealth of experience growing sustainable initiatives. This expert knowledge will help guide the BJF through the world of impact investing and so much more.

Camila
Lefèvre

Partner
Vieira Rezende Advogados

About me

As a partner at Vieira Rezende Advogados, Camila Lefevre specialises in Corporate Governance and Mergers & Acquisitions. Camila is at the top of her field, and with her exceptional expertise has led the implementation of the BJF Governance project. She will now head the BJF Brazil board.

Koen
Vanmechelen

Conceptual artist

About me

As a multi- and transdisciplinary artist, Koen Vanmechelen is one of the most prolific and prominent artists of our time. Central to his extensive and innovative oeuvre is the concept of biocultural diversity and identity. His groundbreaking works have been presented on almost every continent on our planet; such as the National Gallery in London, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and at the prestigious Venice Biennale.

View his BJF profile page and watch his inspiring video

HRH Princess
Basma bint Ali

Global Environmentalist

About me

HRH Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan is an advocate of biodiversity conservation and has a strong connection with the environment. Among a long and impressive list of awards for her work in the field of conservation, she was honored as a Hero for the Planet by Time Magazine in 1998, the first Arab woman to be featured. In 2002, she was elected as a laureate of the Global 500 Roll of Honor for Environmental Achievement (UNEP). 

View her complete and extensive BJF profile page by clicking here

Professor Jan
van Hooff

Science Supervisor
at Burgers’ Zoo

About me

Professor Jan van Hooff grew up in Burgers’ Zoo, the “family ambition” that started with his grandfather. He studied biology in Utrecht and specialized in ethology, the study of animal behavior, under the guidance of Nobel Prize winner Nico Tinbergen at Oxford. He became known for his pioneering studies on the function and evolution of facial expressions in primates. He remains associated with Burgers’ Zoo as a scientific consultant and the supervisor of scientific research.

View his impressive career page and watch his inspiring video

Kees Rijnhout

BJF Ambassador & CEO Jaguar The Fresh Company

About me

Kees Rijnhout has been an entrepreneur all his life. Representing the fourth generation in a family company, he underwrites the need for a much better and healthier world in the future. In 2007, he became the owner of Jaguar The Fresh Company, a leading sustainable supplier of fresh fruits to the EU retail market. 

His career is based upon profitable business models and his life revolves around key issues such as sustainability and transparency.

View his impressive BJF profile page and watch his inspiring video

Shannon O'Leary Joy

President, EarthSense Foundation

About me

Shannon O’Leary Joy is an environmentalist, ocean advocate and philanthropist. Shannon serves on the Board of Oceans 5, WildAid and on the Executive Committee of Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Climate Emergency Fund and as Executive Director of the EarthSense Foundation which focuses on the protection of our marine ecosystems, the restoration of our forests and the biodiversity of our planet.

View her impressive BJF profile page

Nalden

Co-founder WeTransfer 

About me

Nalden is regularly sought out for his fresh perspective and obstinate but clever style of consulting on everything from music and gadgets to authenticity and reinventing word-of-mouth. As a ‘social entrepreneur, he’s focused on exploring new ways to reach people without interrupting them, in which he already succeeded with his Wallpaper Advertising business model on Nalden.net and as co-founder of WeTransfer. He’s always working on connecting the dots to make this a better world to live in, by sharing and supporting.

View his BJF profile page and watch his inspiring video

Phablo
Maia

Environmental Engineer

About me

Phablo is an environmental engineer and has grown up in the Araguaia corridor region. He has an extensive knowledge of farming and the sustainable development of this industry. His role is to communicate the merits of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor to landowners in the region. We need these local partners to allow us to restore their lands to the rich, diverse areas they once were. Phablo, with his diverse knowledge of the industry and the region is perfectly placed to create these partnerships.

Dimitrio
Schievenin

Project Coordinator

About me

Dimitrio has a Masters in Forest Science from São Paulo State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Engineering from São Carlos Federal University. Dimitrio coordinates, organizes and implements ecological restoration along the corridor. He works both the field as in our office in Sao Paulo.

Eduardo Carlos
Oliveira

Field Coordinator

About me

Based in the field working closely with the farm managers and the scientists of Bioflora/LERF, he coordinates the important and complex tasks of the ecological restoration, namely the first nurseries and pilot projects. Eduardo is also expanding our network of stakeholders in the Corridor and works closely together with Dimitrio Schievenin.

Marina
Tavares

Partnerships Coordinator (Brazil)

About me

Marina is a "Goiana" who spent a great part of her childhood exploring the Araguaia River with her family. She has a very special connection with the area and so she is very dedicated to restoring it. Marina has over 9 years experience in the field of Marketing & Communication and as Project Manager in different organisations, focussing on social and environmental causes. At BJF Marina fosters partnerships, broadens our network and assists operational tasks within Brazil. Furthermore, Marina coordinates the Research Teams for the comprehensive Cost-Benefit Study.

Ivan
Nisida

Strategy Coordenator

About me

Ivan has been part of the BJF since the foundation's inception. He holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations from PUC-SP and a master's degree in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po, in Paris, France. Before working at BJF he worked at the GoodPlanet Foundation. At BJF, he worked as a project manager and permanent representative in Brazil. He established important connections with the first technical partners of BFJ in Brazil, carried out communication activities and currently coordinates the implementation of multiple activities and strategies.

Michelle
Bade

Communication Coordinator

About me

Michelle recently graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Anthropology, from University College Utrecht. Originally from Germany, but spending many years of her life in Brazil, Michelle holds a personal connection to the country, as well as the project. She will be helping spread the word about BJF, and expanding its online presence. 

Eric
Schoorl

Campaign Coordinator

About me

Eric holds extensive professional experiences as a physical geographer and post-doc environmentalist. Nowadays he uses his enthusiasm to manage TheFirst600 campaign and carries out many other daily tasks to keep the BJF running.

Joël
Boele

Community Outreach Coordinator

About me

Joël holds a degree in Future Planet Studies and a Master’s in Human Geography accompanied by several researches abroad. She continues her interest and enthusiasm for sustainability and conservation at the Black Jaguar Foundation. One of Joël’s many responsibilities is the coordination of the Advisory Board for the comprehensive Cost-Benefit Study.

Taiwan
Alves da Silva

Field Supervisor

About me

Taiwan is our new Field Manager! He was born in Maranhão, and is currently living in  Santana do Araguaia, in the state of Pará. He works as a field supervisor in planting seedlings and seeds, maintaining the areas, and helping the team in the field so that we have good results. And he has a great love and admiration for nature.

Marcos

Antonio

Field Supervisor 

Sobre mim

Marcos Antonio is passionate about the countryside, father of two children and has lived in Marianópolis do Tocantins for 21 years. Son of rural workers, he owns a farm where he works with cattle, since he was a child accompanying his family in field activities

Erivelto Carvalho

Field Supervisor

About me

Erivelto Carvalho lives in Santana do Araguaia, in the State of Pará. Erivelto works as the Field Supervisor, planting seedlings and seeds, maintaining the areas, and helping the team in the field. And he has a great love and admiration for nature.

Mayk 
Santos Guimarães

Field Supervisor

About me

Living in Santana do Araguaia, Mayk is 21 years old, married and has a 6 years old daughter. As Field Supervisor, Mayk will contribute to Araguaia Corridor's restoration with a lot of dedication and good performance in our activities.

Elyakin
Veiga

Environmental Engineer

About me

Elyakin is an environmental engineer, local to the Araguaia corridor region. With his own environmental consultancy company, he has an extensive knowledge of farming and the intricacies of sustainable agroforestry and reforestation. His intimate knowledge of the area, the people and the industry means Elyakin is able to perfectly articulate to landowners the merits of committing to our biodiversity project and allowing us to restore their lands.