The Black Jaguar Foundation took an active role at COP30 in Belém, reinforcing the importance of ecological restoration and community leadership in transforming the landscapes where we work. Our participation included workshops, presentations, and a dedicated stand featuring the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor.

Seeds of tomorrow: ecological restoration and community leadership in the Amazon

One of the highlights was the “Sementes do Amanhã” workshop, held at the Goeldi Museum. The event brought together the BJF Araguaia Seed Network, the Redário — an initiative of the Socio-Environmental Institute that connects seed networks across Brazil — and Sementes Paraíso. The central theme was the role of communities in ecological restoration. Diogo Ferraz e Castro presented the Black Jaguar Foundation’s work in the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor, while Laís, BJF’s Community Engagement Coordinator, shared ongoing initiatives developed with the BJF Araguaia Seed Network groups. Other participants also contributed their experiences, enriching the exchange between different seed networks.

Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor: restoring landscapes and empowering communities

We also led a workshop in the Blue Zone, where we presented the importance of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor for helping Brazil reach its restoration targets and ensuring more resilient, connected landscapes.

In addition to the workshops, BJF was present for five days at the Pará Pavilion stand, in partnership with the Municipal Secretariat of the Environment (SEMMA) of Santana do Araguaia. The space served as a meeting point for potential partners, institutions, and supporters — including scientist Carlos Nobre — who had the opportunity to learn more about our restoration efforts in the Amazon and Cerrado.

Our participation in COP30 was a valuable opportunity to strengthen networks, showcase our impact, and expand the alliances that drive ecological restoration and sustainable development across the regions where we work.

The 2nd Ressemear Meeting was a milestone for the seed collector network supported by the Black Jaguar Foundation. Over two days, Cantão State Park became a space for reconnecting, sharing knowledge, and exchanging experiences, uniting collectors from different groups and municipalities around a single purpose: strengthening ecological restoration through native seeds. 

One of the main focuses of the meeting was the progress toward formalizing the Araguaia Seed Network, an essential step to ensure greater strength and independence for the collectors who are part of this journey. The discussions and activities around this topic brought forward reflections and pathways that will continue to evolve throughout 2026. 

Another highlight was the ongoing effort to improve the quality of the seeds collected. Exchanges among participants led to new practices, ideas, and insights on seed processing and handling, further enhancing the care taken at each stage of the collection process. 

The program also included hands-on workshops on seed processing and communication & social media — moments filled with interaction, learning, and practical tools. Collectors had the chance to test new strategies and share their own experiences. 

One of the most memorable moments was the group activity on community protagonism in the restoration chain, which brought collectors together in a collective creation: a piece of content that will be presented at COP30 by the Black Jaguar Foundation, representing the voice of local communities and their shared commitment to the future of our forests. 

The event was a major celebration of the work carried out by everyone involved in the Araguaia Seed Network. More than a meeting, it was the reaffirmation of a partnership that grows each year and is already moving forward with new goals and plans for 2026. 

The Black Jaguar Foundation extends its gratitude to all supporters who made this moment possible, including Cantão State Park, the Xingu Seed Network, Portal Amazônia, and the Ecos Fund. 

The Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor was one of the projects selected by CAIXA’s Socioenvironmental Fund to become a documentary! And now you can be among the first to see how we are working to restore the Amazon and the Cerrado through local communities, generating real socioenvironmental impact.

Hike4Nature was born from the desire to transform a great adventure into a global movement for nature.

In June 2026, an extraordinary journey begins: Hike4Nature, a 2,600-kilometer hike from Amsterdam to Lisbon in support of the restoration of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor in Brazil. 

More than an expedition, Hike4Nature is a movement open to everyone who believes in the power of collective action. The route’s distance was chosen to represent the real length of the Araguaia Corridor, which connects the Cerrado and Amazon biomes – a symbolic crossing between two continents, uniting people around a common purpose: restoring life. 

The hike will begin in June 2026, departing from Amsterdam and crossing five European Countries — the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, and Portugal — until reaching Lisbon the end of October 2026. Along the way, participants will pass through forests, villages, mountains, trails, and much more. 

The most inspiring part is that anyone can join. You don’t have to walk the entire route — you can choose one or more days to participate. With an average of 25 km per day, participants can connect with nature, meet new people, and support a global cause. 

Upon registering, each participant creates their own fundraising page to support the reforestation of Amazon and Cerrado. A portion of the registration fee already counts as the first donation, and the remaining amount can be raised with help from family, friends, and colleagues. The collective goal is to raise €100,000, which will be directed entirely to the Black Jaguar Foundation’s restoration efforts. 

Hike4Nature works with an experienced travel agent. She is happy to assist you with practical tips or, if you prefer, can take care of all arrangements for you.

This allows each participant to enjoy the path with peace of mind and purpose — walking through nature, inspiring change, and supporting the restoration of the Araguaia.

You can also start your own hiking campaign!Whether you walk for a single day or spend weeks on a trail, every step brings us closer to a greener planet.
It doesn’t matter where you walk and how many kilometers you cover, every step counts

Register, hike, and be part of this journey.

The end of the year invites us to celebrate in a meaningful way — with intention, care, and an eye toward the future we want to build. 

This year, you can turn this season into a deeply symbolic gesture: donate a tree to the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor and gift someone a symbol of renewal. 

By making a donation, you directly support the restoration of the Amazon and Cerrado, and you also receive a special end-of-year certificate issued in the name of the person receiving your gift. It’s a present that takes up no space, never grows old, and continues to make a positive impact long after the celebrations are over. 

More than a gift, it’s a wish for the future:
“May this tree grow and flourish, just like the bonds, dreams, and paths we hope to see thrive in the world.” 

To secure your commemorative certificate, simply send an email to trees@black-jaguar.org. 

Orders can be placed until (inluding) December 17, 2025.. 

The rainy season is approaching the Araguaia region, and it’s time to put into action all the planning from the past few months. Our field team is already focused on the final preparations to ensure that every seedling and seed reaches the restoration sites, where they’ll soon become part of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor. 

While planting hasn’t officially started yet, our teams are working on-site, clearing and preparing the soil. In the coming weeks, these areas will receive hundreds of thousands of seedlings and seeds to kick off the ecological restoration process across more than 205 hectares of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor. 

To make this possible, seedling production at the Black Jaguar Nursery is running faster than ever. Around 440,000 seedlings will be transported to restoration sites during the 2025/2026 planting season. 

Seeds collected by Ressemear, the Araguaia Seed Network, are also arriving in large quantities — tons of native seeds from over 60 Amazon and Cerrado species. 

In addition to planting activities, we’ll also focus on maintaining 667.87 hectares. Maintenance during the first three years is crucial for effective ecological restoration. During this stage, we control invasive grasses that could hinder the healthy growth of young trees. 

We’re excited to kick off another planting season, and we count on you to follow along every step of the way!  

The largest nursery in southern Pará is now open to the community! Starting this month, schools, universities, and organized groups are invited to take part in Black Jaguar Foundation’s free educational visits, held on the last Friday of every month, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

During the visit, participants follow the entire process of native seedling production from the Cerrado and Amazon biomes from seed collection to planting. 

The experience includes hands-on activities such as planting seedlings, observing irrigation systems, and identifying different cultivated species. Visitors are also guided through the full ecological restoration cycle of the Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs) and Legal Reserves (RLs) that make up the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor. 

These visits offer a practical and inspiring experience where children, youth, and adults can learn about the value of trees and the impact of collective action on the climate crisis. The nursery’s facilities also serve as a valuable educational space for technical and university students attending classes on irrigation, seed technology, and fruiting. 

Visits must be scheduled in advance via contato@black-jaguar.org. Each group can include 5 to 15 participants, including educators. The activity is suitable for children aged 5 and up, and all visitors receive the necessary safety equipment to enjoy the experience comfortably and responsibly. 

COP30 will be a historic moment for Brazil and the Black Jaguar Foundation will proudly be part of it. From November 17th to 21st, we’ll be at the Pará Pavilion, in a joint booth with the Environmental Secretariat of Santana do Araguaia (SEMMA). 

Throughout the event, our team will be presenting the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor restoration project, sharing results, and exchanging experiences with visitors, partners, and representatives from around the world. If you’re in Belém, you’re more than welcome to stop by our booth, learn more about our initiatives, and connect with our team. Seeds of Tomorrow: Ecological Restoration and Community Empowerment 

In addition to our booth, the Black Jaguar Foundation will also host a special panel on November 19th, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Museu Goeldi in Belém. The discussion, titled “Seeds of Tomorrow: Ecological Restoration and Community Empowerment,” will highlight the importance of community engagement within the ecological restoration chain. 

The panel will feature representatives from The BJF Araguaia Seed Network (Ressemear), the Black Jaguar Foundation, Redário, and seed collectors from other networks across Brazil. The session will also include an open dialogue with the audience, encouraging questions and discussion about the role of local leadership and the positive impact of restoration on community life. 

More than just participation, BJF’s presence at COP30 represents an opportunity to amplify voices, strengthen partnerships, and show the world that ecological restoration is a collective effort. 

During the last dry season, when forest fires become frequent in the Araguaia region, the newly donated 20,000-liter water truck from Treelove was extensively used to address water shortages and contain fires spreading across the area.

We would like to thank Treelove, our long-term partner, for this donation and emphasize that this new addition is and will continue to be essential for the successful implementation of the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor.