In this first interview of the series, Tainan Balestrin, our field forestry supervisor, explains the restoration process in a Permanent Preservation Area, including the planting of native seedlings and careful management to ensure tree survival. He also shares his journey to the Amazon and his commitment to forest recovery.
Between 2020 and 2024, what was once degraded land is now a growing forest. This transformation occurred in a Permanent Preservation Area (APP), in one of the priority regions of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor.
And our loyal partner Sumthing, in addition to supporting the Black Jaguar Foundation in tree planting, has created an incredible video showcasing the positive environmental impact we’re generating in the region! Satellite images capture more than just a visual change, they reveal the tangible impact of ecological restoration led by the Black Jaguar Foundation and the areas that thrive.
Bare soil gave way to a vibrant young forest, thanks to the direct involvement of local communities, nursery staff, seed collectors, and partners. This is yet another example of how large-scale restoration is not only possible but goes far beyond planting a tree.
The strength of collective work is restoring nature and transforming the territory, creating real benefits for the environment and for the people who live in it.
De L’Europe Amsterdam, one of the most iconic and luxurious hotels in the Dutch capital, is renowned for its historic architecture and top-tier service. Situated along the Amstel River, the hotel blends classic luxury with sustainability efforts.
Since 2022, De L’Europe has partnered with the Black Jaguar Foundation, demonstrating its environmental commitment through concrete action. About six months ago, the hotel began inviting guests to donate to the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor, and they match each donation made! This collaboration not only creates a positive impact on nature but also gives guests a meaningful way to connect with an important environmental cause.
BJF’s presence can also be seen in the hotel’s lobby, where a black jaguar sculpture invites visitors from around the world to engage with the mission of regenerating Brazil’s native biomes.
This partnership is yet another example of how major brands can directly contribute to transforming landscapes and building a greener future alongside the Black Jaguar Foundation.
We are pleased to announce that the Black Jaguar Foundation (BJF) and UBS Optimus Foundation are now official partners. UBS Optimus Foundation supports programmes worldwide that address critical social and environmental challenges through strategic funding and collaboration.
In 2024, the Black Jaguar Foundation successfully completed UBS’s due diligence process and was selected as a UBS Bank Climate & Environment Partner, one of the few Brazilian NGOs to receive this recognition.
This partnership goes beyond financial contributions. In addition to the opportunity for a portion of your donation to be matched by the UBS Optimus Foundation, BJF will benefit from access to UBS’s network of experts, technical support, and capacity-building resources. Areas of collaboration include impact measurement, governance enhancement, and scaling restoration efforts in the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor together with other UBS initiatives.
To learn more about the BJF–UBS partnership and how it may relate to your support, please contact Joël Boele at j.boele@black-jaguar.org or acess their page as one of the first 600 to support Black Jaguar Foundation.
Black Jaguar Foundation begins 2025 by reaching a major milestone: the mobilization of the first Indigenous group within Ressemear, the BJF Araguaia Seed Network. A total of 27 members of the Aldeia Kayapó, located in the Barreira do Campo region (Pará, Brazil), took part in a training cycle and are already collecting native seeds for the upcoming planting seasons.
This is a historic step for the network, reinforcing its commitment to a more diverse restoration effort rooted in the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples. The involvement of the Kayapó Village expands Ressemear’s social and environmental impact, bringing ecological restoration even further — through the hands of those who have lived in and protected the forest for generations.
In addition to welcoming the new Indigenous participants, the training round also included Ressemear’s existing groups, with a renewed focus on best practices for seed collection, processing, and storage. Knowledge-sharing and collective engagement remain the cornerstones of the initiative.
With increasingly diverse roots, the BJF Araguaia Seed Network (Ressemear) continues advancing its mission to restore the Araguaia — uniting communities, cultures, and seeds!
The Black Jaguar Foundation’s field team took part in an intensive training week, focused on evaluating the results of the last planting season and aligning goals and strategies for the upcoming rainy season.
The gathering was essential to consolidate learnings, understand the challenges faced in the field, and clarify how each team member will contribute to future progress. Key topics discussed throughout the week included:
One of the week’s highlights was the introduction of drones as a support tool. BJF has invested in these devices to streamline the validation and monitoring of planting areas with greater speed and precision.
To ensure the effective use of this new technology, the entire team took part in a hands-on drone operation course, equipping them to use the equipment safely and efficiently in the field.
This preparation reinforces BJF’s commitment to continuously improving its practices and ensuring that each new planting season is more strategic, efficient, and transformative.
You can never have too much knowledge, right? Last month, Norivânia Diniz, our seedling production analyst, visited three forest nurseries to exchange experiences, learn about new techniques, and share the challenges of ecological restoration.
The visit was carried out alongside Felipe Susin, nursery specialist at Restauragro, and offered an immersive experience filled with learning and exchange. In addition to discovering different nursery structures and seedling production techniques, the pair exchanged experiences with local professionals, strengthening the network of partners committed to ecological restoration.
The training sparked new ideas to improve the technical processes of the team and practical enhancements that can be applied to the day-to-day seedling production. It was also a valuable opportunity to expand their understanding of the entire cycle — from seed collection to seedling production and planting.
The team was warmly welcomed, which also created an opportunity to share the work that the Black Jaguar Foundation has been carrying out in the states of Pará and Tocantins. We are confident that the experience will strengthen the excellent work already being carried out by our nursery team!
Caixa (Brazilian Federal Bank) visited the Araguaia region, where they witnessed the work of the Black Jaguar Foundation’s field team up close, as well as the efforts of the BJF Araguaia Seed Network. It was a opportunity to fostered a deep connection with the territories and communities that are part of the ecological restoration process.
The journey began in Marianópolis and Caseara (TO), with a visit to PA Piracema, where Caixa representatives spoke with seed collectors from RESSEMEAR: Dinaura Zago Sobrinho, Célia Hammer, Ana Cleia Pereira, and Daniel Cantuário. The group then headed to Caseara, where they were welcomed by Ldejany Lopes de Oliveira, a member of the local urban group.
The next day, in Santana do Araguaia (PA), the team visited the Black Jaguar Foundation’s Forest Nursery, observing the germination and production processes of native seedlings alongside the nursery production analyst and local nursery workers.
Later that morning, they visited a rural restoration site, where they could compare different stages of the restoration cycle—from direct seeding to natural regeneration in a permanent preservation area.
The day ended with a moving meeting with the seed collectors from the riverside community of Barreira do Campo, along the Araguaia River. Eunice and Pedro Gomes, Creusa Guevara, Aldeir Dias, Madalena Dias, and other members of the network shared their life stories and how seed collection has transformed their lives.
The visit was a unique opportunity to see, hear, and feel the real impact that ecological restoration is making. The inspiring stories of seed collectors, community leaders, and beneficiaries reinforced the power of nature as a force for both social and environmental regeneration.
Good news is coming to Pará! The Black Jaguar Foundation was one of the organizations chosen by Conservation International (CI-Brazil) to implement the project “Forest for Well-being.” The goal is to restore 150 hectares on small rural properties over the next two rainy seasons.
Unlike other projects we have carried out, this one has a special focus: directly supporting producers of smaller areas — up to 4 fiscal modules — so they can lead the restoration on their own land. This makes the process more local, participatory, and connected to the daily life of those living in rural areas.
With technical and financial support from CI and the Amazon Fund/BNDES, we will be able to test and apply new restoration methods such as assisted natural regeneration and agroforestry systems. The idea is to go beyond environmental recovery: also generate social and economic benefits and strengthen the involved communities.
This opportunity came through a public call, which supports restoration projects focused on social inclusion, local protagonism, and solutions that truly make sense for those on the front lines.
As Conservation International itself highlighted: “These initiatives implement nature-based solutions, focusing on community leadership and large-scale restoration of the Amazon biome.”
We are excited about this new challenge and the chance to work even closer to the people, the countryside, and the forest!
From April 27th to May 1st, 2025, the Black Jaguar Foundation took part in Agrishow in Ribeirão Preto (SP) — one of the largest agricultural technology fairs in the world. Being present at this event was a valuable chance to share our mission with major representatives of Brazilian agribusiness.
Our founder, Ben Valks, together with our team, presented the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor, emphasizing how ecological restoration can go hand in hand with the country’s productive and sustainable development.
During the fair, Ben also gave an interview to the Fala Carlão channel, where he shared his journey and the origin of the Black Jaguar Foundation. With a global vision and local action, Ben showed how agribusiness can — and should — move forward together with environmental conservation. A conversation that inspires and proves that Brazil is at the heart of the solutions to the planet’s major environmental challenges.
Watch the full interview:
BJF’s presence at the fair reinforces the importance of collaboration between the productive sector and environmental initiatives. We believe that the future of agribusiness depends on more regenerative practices — and this is the conversation we aim to expand.
