ACRAA Brazil

Lower Tapajós

diego — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 18:24:14 +0000

In the region of Alter do Chão, along the banks of the Tapajós River, ACRAA’s ecological restoration efforts are transforming degraded areas into thriving spaces of life and biodiversity.

Since 2020, ACRAA has been working to restore riparian forests, streams, and flooded woodlands—critical ecosystems for protecting water resources and maintaining local ecological balance. With its own nursery, the association has cultivated and planted over 1,000 native trees, including species such as açaí, andiroba, comandá, pirauxí, and others essential for forest regeneration.

The Impact of Restoration

Each seedling planted by ACRAA represents a step toward restoring native vegetation, helping to:

Protect springs and riverbanks, preventing erosion and siltation;
Reestablish habitats for Amazonian wildlife, including birds, primates, and pollinating insects;
Enhance climate resilience, contributing to the balance of the local microclimate.

Beyond reforestation, ACRAA integrates Indigenous traditional knowledge and scientific expertise, partnering with Borari communities and institutions like UFOPA to ensure restoration is both effective and culturally appropriate.

Tangible Impact (2020-2025)

✓ 1,000+ native trees planted in high-priority areas

✓ Focus on combating erosion at Ilha do Amor – the “postcard” beach threatened by vegetation loss

✓ Expansion to multiple sites across the lower Tapajós region

Why Our Approach Works:

We use only locally-sourced native species for maximum survival rates

Our techniques combine scientific knowledge with traditional indigenous ecological wisdom

Every planting strengthens biodiversity while protecting against climate change impacts

A Sustenable Future for the Tapajós

We believe ecological restoration goes beyond planting trees—it is an act of healing the land and empowering communities. Through initiatives like forest gardens and agroforestry seedling donations, we promote practices that combine sustainable production and conservation, benefiting local families.

ACRAA is proof that when people unite for a common purpose, it is possible to reverse environmental damage and build a greener, more prosperous future for the Lower Tapajós.

To learn more about our ecological restoration projects:

Ilha do Amor

Santarém Plateau

GO TO OUR DONATE PAGE TO SEE HOW TO COLLABORATE

MORE GREEN, MORE LIFE

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA. CEP 68109-000

contact@acraabrazil.org

CNPJ: 50161.510/0001-19

ACRAA Updates

thor — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 16:33:21 +0000

ACRAA Overview and Operational Plan (2024)

The attached document presents and overview of ACRAA along with our operational plan (latest edits August 2024).

ACRAA-Overview-and-Operational-Plan-2024 Download

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA. CEP 68109-000

contact@acraabrazil.org

CNPJ: 50161.510/0001-19

INTERNAL: Backup listing

Sat, 13 May 2023 18:04:10 +0000

https://instance-0-40003.edit.ahost.win/wp-admin/admin.php?page=ai1wm_backups

Comments about backups – important ones get reasons

20230513 – prior tor duplicate pages with forms and prepare for lipstick on rapid publishing
- instance-0-40003.edit.ahost.win-20230513-180729-500.wpress

Munduruku Indigenous Schools – Planalto Santareno

diego — Thu, 11 May 2023 13:05:29 +0000

ACRAA PROJECT IN SCHOOLS

MUNDURUKU INDIGENOUS SCHOOLS
SANTERÉM PLATEAU

In 2023, we were able to start expanding the “ACRAA at School” project, taking environmental education activities to four Munduruku indigenous communities, these located on the Planalto Santareno (Santarém Plateau), in the Baixo Tapajós region.

The first activities were carried out in the indigenous community of Açaizal, in partnership with FUNAI. Here we gave lectures to students and teachers at the Wapurum-Tip Indigenous School, where we addressed issues related to environmental conservation, and solutions to minimize problems associated with of garbage and water quality.

We also started the planting of an agroforestry system within the school limits, where what is sought is the production of food and products derived from the forest to complement school lunches – and also generate income so that the school can offer better quality education to its students.

In 2025 we intend to carry out more environmental education activities, construct a plant nursery , and continue with the planting of a small agroforestry system.

The other three indigenous schools at which carried out environmental education activities were: the Santa Helena School (Amparador community); the Jose Arlindo Betcel School (Ipaupixuna community); and the São Francisco School (Palhão community).

GO TO OUR DONATE PAGE TO SEE HOW TO COLLABORATE

MORE GREEN, MORE LIFE

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA. CEP 68109-000

contact@acraabrazil.org

CNPJ: 50161.510/0001-19

Santarém Plateau

thor — Fri, 05 May 2023 16:08:00 +0000

Santarém Plateau Sustainability Project

In early 2023, ACRAA initiated a meaningful partnership with the Munduruku indigenous communities of the Planalto de Santarém region, located south of Santarém city. Our collaborative work began with environmental education initiatives and agroforestry support, responding directly to the communities’ expressed needs during our initial consultations.

2023-2025: Building Foundations Through Education and Action

Our first year of engagement (2023), conducted in coordination with FUNAI [1], focused on:

Donating agroforestry seedlings to multiple communities
Conducting environmental workshops at scattered rural schools
Establishing trust through culturally sensitive dialogue

We maintained this support in 2024 through continued seedling donations. By early 2025, we deepened our commitment by helping the Açaizal community [2] establish a permanent nursery infrastructure:

Constructed a seedling-production facility
Installed specialized sand seed-germination beds
Completed the project during intensive workdays on January 14 & 19, 2025

Future Vision: Integrated Landscape Restoration

Our long-term goals with the Munduruku include:

Developing sustainable agroforestry systems
Restoring critical igarapés (forest creeks) and surrounding lands
Gradually increasing forest and agroforestry coverage
Supporting traditional land management practices

The Urgent Challenges of Planalto de Santarém
The region faces complex environmental and social pressures:

Rapid deforestation: Once heavily forested, now dominated by industrial soy farms
Encroachment issues: Agricultural operations often reach community boundaries
Inadequate protections: Stream and river buffers frequently ignored
Unresolved land rights: Indigenous territorial claims remain in limbo

These factors combine to create severe challenges for Munduruku communities:

Limited land base for economic security
Threatened water quality and access
Erosion of traditional livelihoods

ACRAA’s Stance on Indigenous Rights
We firmly believe:

Indigenous peoples hold ancestral territorial rights
Clean air and water are fundamental human rights
The Brazilian government’s demarcation process must:
- Accelerate resolution of land claims
- Prioritize indigenous perspectives on justice
- Provide meaningful protections

Pathways to Solutions
The current context offers potential for progress:

Growing international scrutiny of Brazilian soy supply chains
Industry’s public commitments to sustainability [3]
Opportunities for dialogue between stakeholders

We remain hopeful that through persistent advocacy and partnership, solutions can be found that:

Respect indigenous rights
Support sustainable livelihoods
Balance economic and environmental needs

This work represents just the beginning of ACRAA’s long-term commitment to standing with the Munduruku people in defense of their lands, waters, and future.

[1] FUNAI: National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples. Santarém office, R. Vinte e Quatro de Outubro, 1915-1711 – Aldeia, Santarém – PA, 68040-010, Brasil.

[2] Commuity of Açaizal – the coordinates of the school here are: -2.638594, -54.511559.

[3] See Agrosoja Brasil website: https://aprosojabrasil.com.br/en/about-us/

GO TO OUR DONATE PAGE TO SEE HOW TO COLLABORATE

MORE GREEN, MORE LIFE

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA. CEP 68109-000

contact@acraabrazil.org

CNPJ: 50161.510/0001-19

Adopt a Tree

diego — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 20:05:56 +0000

Adopt a Tree

The ecological restoration actions that ACRAA carries out in the Amazon Rainforest are financed through our projects. The Adopt a Tree project consists of you contributing R$50.00 and adopting a tree in the Amazon. This tree will go to a waiting bench and during the rainy season, between January and June, we will plant the tree for you. Each tree is marked with a number and its planting is recorded using GPS coordinates.

On the planting date and then once every 6 months, for 2 years, we will send the coordinates of the adopted tree and photos of its development to the email provided by you. We will also send you a Tree Planting Certificate which contains the number of the adopted tree, the species, the GPS coordinates and the average amount of CO2 captured.

HOW TO COLLABORATE?

Just sign up and we'll be in touch.

MORE GREEN, MORE LIFE!

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER

Stay on top of our activities

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA, CEP 68109-000.

contact@acraabrazil.org

Baixo-Tapajos

diego — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 13:42:57 +0000

REGIÃO AMAZÔNICA DO BAIXO-TAPAJÓS

Reconhecida internacionalmente por suas belezas naturais a Região Amazônica do Baixo-Tapajós também chama atenção pela complexidade socio-ambiental que apresenta.

Berço de 14 etnias indígenas diferentes, esta região também é constituida por ribeirinhos, imigrantes, garimpos ilegais, grandes fazendas de soja e outras monoculturas, tudo isso envolto de um ecossistema complexo e diverso.

Além da imprecionante biodivercidade que abriga a Região do Baixo-Tapajos, com suas florestas milenares, seus rios, igarapés e igapós, este território faz parte do maior aguífero do mundo, o Aquífero Alter do Chão.

Este aquífero está distribuido por uma extensa área da região Amazônica, ocupando uma área aproximada de 410.000Km². O grande volume de água deste aquífero o torna extremamente importante para o fornecimento de água doce para as populações que vivem nestas regiões.

A conservação e sustentabilidade do aquífero Alter do Chão também perpassa pela conservação da floresta, pois boa parte de seu abastecimento vem da grande quantidade de chuvas existentes na região que, por sua vez, dependem da floresta de pé para ocorrer.

Dentre os povos originário que ocupão a região do Baixo-Tapajós, destaca-se os Borari, que se estabeleceram a séculos no território de Alter do Chão-PA e do Rio Arapiuns.

Uma das lideranças mais importantes deste povo é a Cacique Neca Borari, que representa o maior número de famílias deste grupo. Há que se ressaltar que este povo é regido por um sistema matriarcal onde a importancia social da mulher condiz com as atuais discuções sociais.

O Festival do Çairé, festividade artística mais antiga da região Amazônica, acontece em Alter do Chão-PA. Esta festividade mistura elementos religiosos com elementos da cultura indígena, num sincretismo único.

O povo Borari coordena as festividades que atraem milhares de turistas todos os anos, movimentando a economia local.

Outro atrativo cultural é o Carimbó, estilo musical que mistura os tambores africanos com as maracas indígenas, com uma dança esótica e bela.

MAIS VERDE, MAIS VIDA!

RECEBA NOSSA NEWSLETTER

Fique por dentro de nossas atividades

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA, CEP 68109-000.

contact@acraabrazil.org

Ilha do Amor

thor — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 23:58:54 +0000

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.

GO TO OUR DONATE PAGE TO SEE HOW TO COLLABORATE

MORE GREEN, MORE LIFE

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA. CEP 68109-000

contact@acraabrazil.org

CNPJ: 50161.510/0001-19

Biographies

thor — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 17:27:06 +0000

Professional Biographies ACRAA Management Team

Katiane Araújo Lourido

Degree in Full Licentiate in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Western Pará/UFOPA (2016). Master’s in Environmental Sciences, in the area of concentration of bioprospecting of natural products – UFOPA. Experience in extraction and bioactivity of essential oils. Teaching Science and Biology and environmental education.

Katiane is also the lead instructor and manager of ACRAA’s “ACRAA in the Schools” environmental education program. She is also a founding member and the current President.

Diêgo Figueiredo de Siqueira Simplício

Email: diego@acraabrazil.org

Diêgo Figueiredo is a Brazilian lawyer, holding a Law degree from the University of Triângulo Mineiro (UNITRI, 2012) and registered with the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/MG) under number 148.062 (2013).

His professional training includes four years of internships across three different institutions: the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Cláudio-MG (civil law), the UNIFENAS Legal Assistance Center in Poços de Caldas-MG (also civil law), and the Public Defender’s Office of Minas Gerais in Uberlândia-MG (criminal executions). During this period, he also completed a complementary course in Introduction to Business Management.

With nine years of experience as a lawyer, Diêgo has focused on furthering his expertise in Environmental Law, a key area of his practice. Additionally, he is a founding member of ACRAA and has served on its board of directors since 2020, playing an active role in advancing the association’s initiatives.

B. Thor Smestad (Canadian) B.S.F.[1], M.Sc.[2], P. Ag.[3]

Email: thor@acraabrazil.org

Thor Smestad is a Canadian reforestation and ecosystem-restoration specialist. He began this career in 1981 as a tree planter in the mountains of British Columbia (BC), Canada, and then later, after completing a degree in forest resources management (1994), continued to work in BC as a silvicultural forester. This work involved managing projects related to all aspects of reforestation and forest management on the vast expanses of public lands in British Columbia.

In 1997 he returned to university to complete a Master of Science degree, specializing in soils. His master’s study was located in western Kenya, where he examined the soil fertility changes associated with short-duration agroforestry fallows (Smestad et al., 2002).[4]

Since completing his masters in 2002, Thor has worked throughout western Canada in the field of ecosystem restoration and soil erosion control. For a short period (2012 to 2016) he also operated his own native plant nursery and ecosystem restoration company.[5] Many of the projects completed during this period were in shoreline and riverbank restoration, and he is now known as a specialist in this area in BC. One of the most exciting projects during this period was the ecological restoration of a small peninsula near Nelson, BC. Here, for a three-day period in each of five consecutive years (2011 to 2015), Thor co-led an annual ecological restoration field-school for the local College’s Integrated Environmental Planning Program.[6]

At present he works seasonally (April-Nov.) as a senior ecosystem restoration specialist for an environmental consulting company in western Canada.[7] He spends his winters in the Amazon region of Brazil where he is a founding member of ACRAA.

[1] Bachelor of Science in Forestry. University of British Columbia (Canada). 1994
[2] Master of Science. University of Saskatchewan (Canada), 2002.
[3] Professional Agrologist. BC Institute of Agrologists (British Columbia, Canada).
[4] For published study results see: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1020501627174
[5] Treebear Native Plants. See https://Treebearplants.ca
[6] Selkirk College, Castlegar, BC. https://selkirk.ca/program/iep
[7] Lotic Environmental Services, Cranbrook, BC, Canada. See https://lotic.co/

Katherin Daniela León Pinto

Katherin Daniela León Pinto, born in Lara-Barquisimeto, Venezuela, is 27 years old and has devoted much of her life to working with plants and animals. Her passion for cultivation and land management began at the age of 5, when she learned from her grandfather in Valencia-Carabobo, where her family grew citrus fruits, dairy crops, and bananas. This early exposure laid the foundation for her deep connection to agriculture and nature.

Due to her family’s nomadic lifestyle, Katherin lived in various states across Venezuela, gaining valuable local knowledge about plants and natural medicine from different communities. During this time, she also focused on rescuing and treating animals, often using plant-based home remedies, which further strengthened her bond with the natural world and her expertise in holistic practices. Currently, at ACRAA, Katherin serves as a nursery technician, where she applies her extensive knowledge and skills to cultivate and manage native plants, contributing to ecological restoration and sustainable practices.

Sula Gabrieli Pereire de Oliveira

Sula (Gaby) is a highly skilled nursery worker and medicinal plant specialist, as well as a proud member of the indigenous Maytapu people. Her ancestral roots are tied to the village of Pinhel, located approximately 50 km southwest of Alter do Chão, further up the Tapajós River. Gaby is a nursery technician at ACRAA, where she combines her deep traditional knowledge of plants with modern practices to enhance the diversity and quality of what the organization offers. As a founding member of ACRAA, Gaby has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s mission and initiatives, contributing her expertise and passion for ecological restoration and community empowerment.

Thais Thayane da Silva Beltrão de Farias

Brazilian, born in Recife-PE, on 29.09.1993.

Thais is a technician in Business Administration, graduated from the Special Professional Center (2011). Also a makeup Artist – Embeleze Institute (2014), and eyebrow Designer – Center Take Free courses (2018).

Worked as an administrative and commercial assistant at the Objective Engenharia de Eventos in 2012. Commercial Consultant at the Academia Hi from 2013 to 2014. Receptionist and salesperson at the Academia Santé Club (2014 to 2015).

From 2015 to 2017, she worked in the Amazon region as a cook on tourist boats, leading the fusion of regional food with northeastern food.

Also in 2015, she worked as a bartender and cook at the Mãe Natureza Bar and Restaurant (Alter do Chão) and from 2016 to 2017 at the Alter do Chão Gastronomic Space Restaurant.

In 2019, she returned to work in the Administrative and Product Shipping sector at Ekilibre Amazônia.

Thais currently works as an artisan, cook, and secretary and project coordinator for ACRAA. She is also a founding member of ACRAA.

MORE GREEN, MORE LIFE

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA. CEP 68109-000

contact@acraabrazil.org

CNPJ: 50161.510/0001-19

CEMEI Borari School

diego — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 17:42:46 +0000

ACRAA AT SCHOOL PROJECT

CEMEI Borari

The ACRAA at School project commenced at the CEMEI Borari School [1] in Alter do Chão at the beginning of the 2022 school year.

Here we planted trees inside and outside the educational center to ease the heat, which will transform the school space into a more wooded and cooler environment. The pre-school children participated in the activities, helping with the planting of trees.

We also held lectures with the CEMEI students and teachers, with the theme of environmental awareness and the importance of children in the process of environmental education of thier parents.

In March 2023 we started building a raised bed for growing vegetables for the student’s lunches, and for medicinal plants. Lectures and monthly activities will soon be held here with children from the educational center and their teachers.

In April of 2023 an initial activity was carried out with the preschool children in the form of a practical class on seed germination. Here they planted vegetable seeds in tubes, these will be used in the school lunches in the future.

[1] Municipal Center for Indigenous Early Childhood Education – Professor Marilda Vasconcelos Soares Borari.

GO TO OUR DONATE PAGE TO SEE HOW TO COLLABORATE

MORE GREEN, MORE LIFE

Rua Everaldo Martins, s/n., Bairro Carauari, Alter do Chão, Santarém-PA. CEP 68109-000

contact@acraabrazil.org

CNPJ: 50161.510/0001-19

ACRAA Brazil

Lower Tapajós

The Impact of Restoration

Each seedling planted by ACRAA represents a step toward restoring native vegetation, helping to:

ACRAA Updates

ACRAA Overview and Operational Plan (2024)

INTERNAL: Backup listing

Munduruku Indigenous Schools – Planalto Santareno

ACRAA PROJECT IN SCHOOLS

MUNDURUKU INDIGENOUS SCHOOLS SANTERÉM PLATEAU

Santarém Plateau

Santarém Plateau Sustainability Project

Adopt a Tree

Adopt a Tree

Just sign up and we'll be in touch.

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER

Baixo-Tapajos

REGIÃO AMAZÔNICA DO BAIXO-TAPAJÓS

RECEBA NOSSA NEWSLETTER

Ilha do Amor

Biographies

Professional Biographies ACRAA Management Team

CEMEI Borari School

ACRAA AT SCHOOL PROJECT

CEMEI Borari

MUNDURUKU INDIGENOUS SCHOOLS
SANTERÉM PLATEAU