Reflora Project Transforms Degraded Amazon Land

At the heart of the Reflora project is the active participation of the Tatuyo community in Manaus. The initiative focuses on cultivating native tree seedlings, specifically andiroba and castanheira, in areas that were previously degraded. For local ribeirinho Edmildo Pimentel Yhepassoni, the project represents the realization of a lifelong dream that was previously out of reach due to a lack of knowledge and resources.

The commitment to reforestation is a family affair, spanning generations. Yhepassoni emphasizes the global importance of their local actions, stating, "Há muito tempo eu sonhava com isso, mas não tinha como buscar conhecimento. Hoje em dia, graças a Deus, esse sonho está sendo realizado. Eu coleto sementes, ando por onde me convidam, falo sobre reflorestamento, porque precisamos recuperar a Amazônia. Isso não é só para nós aqui, é para todo mundo."

His wife, Carmen, views the restoration efforts as a vital investment in their family's future. She hopes to involve her children and grandchildren in the process, working together to expand the initiative. The younger generation, represented by their son Santiago, is equally dedicated. He envisions a transformed landscape where the small trees planted today will provide seeds, fruit, and shade for future generations.

The Reflora initiative is formally organized by the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (Ipê). According to executive coordinator Paulo Roberto Ferro, the project was born directly from the demands of the local population. "O projeto surgiu da própria demanda dos comunitários, o que é mais interessante, porque aí a gente está surgindo como uma instituição apoiando essas atividades vindas da própria comunidade," Ferro explained. This approach strengthens the Sustainable Development Reserve and the restoration chain in the state of Amazonas.

However, operating in the Amazon presents significant logistical hurdles. Transporting seedlings to the Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Puranga Conquista requires up to eight hours of boat travel on the Rio Negro. Species often travel long distances, arriving from Rondônia and the border with Pará. The long-term goal is to collect and produce seedlings locally to reduce costs and ensure species are better adapted to the specific environment.

The project employs an agroforestry system, a technique that combines agricultural, fruit, and forest species. Extensionist Ananda Matos describes this as a productive restoration method that yields both economic and environmental returns. The system is designed with a timeline in mind: agricultural species provide short-term returns, fruit trees offer medium-term benefits, and timber species generate long-term value through wood and products like seeds and bark used for teas and medicines.

In 2025, the reserve received 7,000 native tree seedlings. The project targets the restoration of 200 hectares of degraded land. Beyond environmental recovery, the initiative incentivizes income generation for 18 communities. The collection of seeds and production of seedlings supply local nurseries and can be utilized by the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

Paulo Roberto Ferro highlights the economic philosophy behind the project: "Sustentabilidade não é só conservar a floresta, mas também gerar renda para quem mora aqui." The project strengthens the local economy through sustainable management and the utilization of seeds. For participants like Carmen, the motivation remains deeply personal and future-oriented: "O que eu mais espero é plantar para meus filhos, para os netos, para que todos possam colher no futuro. A gente planta com amor e esperança para o amanhã."