Our Ecological Restoration work on Ilha do Amor (the Island of Love) is now in its fourth year, standing as a vital initiative for the environmental recovery of this special area. Since its beginning in 2022, we have worked in close partnership with the Borari people, especially Neca Borari, chief of the Borari Indigenous community in Alter do Chão, whose traditional knowledge and dedication have been key to the project’s success.
As of May 2025, we have planted over a thousand trees, a milestone that celebrates not only forest regeneration but also the union of traditional wisdom and environmental conservation. Our goal is to continue expanding this work in the coming years, carrying out annual plantings between November and January, when the river level is at its lowest.
Initially, we prioritized planting Cumandá, a resilient native species, using saplings up to 3 meters tall to ensure greater resistance to the area’s heavy tourist traffic. Over time, we diversified our efforts: today, our nursery grows more than ten native tree species, all sourced from Ilha do Amor itself, safeguarding local biodiversity.
Community Plantings and Collective Participation
Our planting actions are always collaborative events, involving the Borari community, volunteers, and partners.
One of the most memorable moments was during our first planting in 2022, a true celebration of life, featuring traditional Borari music, circular dances, and extensive local media coverage, marking the rebirth of the degraded area. Since then, each planting season has been a celebration:
– Local schools actively participate, like the 5th-grade class from the Borari Municipal School, who joined us in December 2022;
– New partners have joined the project, expanding our impact;
– In 2024, we reached 800 planted trees, and in 2025, we surpassed a thousand saplings, reinforcing our commitment to the forest.
We believe ecological restoration goes beyond planting: it is an act of resistance, education, and reconnection with nature. We remain steadfast in this mission, deeply grateful to everyone who makes this project possible.
To read about our very first planting event on the Ilha do Amor (Feb.2022) – click here.
If you are interested to learn more about the Ilha do Amor and the ecological problems this place is facing – click here.
Remember, to carry out these and other restoration processes we need help from people like you that care. Please see how you can at our Donate page.
[1] ACRAA recognises the Ilha do Amor as part of the traditional territory of the indigenous Borari people of Alter do Chão.
Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA. CEP 68109-000
contact@acraabrazil.org
CNPJ: 50161.510/0001-19
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