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IPÊ 2023 Activity Report
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Logo IPE 2023
In this edition of our Report, we present results of our projects, partnerships for our Sustainable Business Unit, as well as news from ESCAS, IPÊ's postgraduate school. Together, these actions reinforce our commitment to our transformative vision. The advances achieved show the relevance of the IPÊ way of acting, based on applied research, articulation and formation of networks with different society segments, education and promotion of economic activities with socio-environmental sustainability in their DNA.

Transformative Vision

A society in which biodiversity conservation is central to socioeconomic transformation and to facing climate challenges.

Main expected impacts from our actions:

Sustainable territories and landscapes, community leadership and stimulating the bioeconomy.

Sustainable territories and landscapes, community leadership and stimulating the bioeconomy.

Public policies.

Public policies ensured for the conservation of socio-biodiversity.

Conservation status of black lion tamarin and other species improved.

Conservation status of black lion tamarin and other species improved.

Conserved biodiversity.

Conserved biodiversity, with social participation and scientific research.

Transformative education.

Transformative education that encourages a fair and sustainable world.

Mitigation and adaptation strategies to climate effects implemented.

Mitigation and adaptation strategies to climate effects implemented.

Biodiversity is central

Eduardo Ditt
Photo: Ilana Bar/Estúdio Garagem

“In a context of multiple crises that society is currently facing, climate being the main one, we understand that biodiversity must be at the center of planning and decision-making for the social advancement we need.”

Eduardo Ditt, IPÊ’s executive director. Read the full message here.

Why support IPÊ

"If we look around, the world is upside down. However, to me IPÊ is a source of hope. Our current team is extremely committed and passionate. We are in four biomes, each with a more innovative project. The greatest value is this sense that it is possible to reverse the most challenging situations in the world. So join us."

Suzana Pádua, IPÊ’s founder and president

Where we are

Click and see where our initiatives are

Pontos Verdes Pontos Vermelhos Pontos Amarelos Pontos Azuis Pontos Rosas Pontos Laranjas Pontos Verde Escuro Pontos Azul Claro

IN THE AMAZON, E WORK ON INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS FOR BIOME CONSERVATION, ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN LOWER RIO NEGRO AND FOSTER BIODIVERSITY MONITORING IN PROTECTED AREAS.


LIRA - Integrated Legacy of the Amazon Region
LEARN +


Navigating Entrepreneurial Education (Lower Rio Negro)
LEARN +


Immersions (Lower Rio Negro)
LEARN +


Monitoring Biodiversity in a Protected Area with Forest Concession
LEARN +

IN THE SOUTHERN BAHIA, ESCAS has an extra-Campus class for the Professional Master's Degree in Biodiversity Conservation AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE TRAINING OF SMALL PRODUCERS TOGETHER WITH A NETWORK OF PARTNERS.


ESCAS – School of Environmental Conservation and Sustainability
LEARN +


Network Connection: Agroecology
LEARN +

IN ESPÍRITO SANTO, WE PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL ACTIONS FOR LANDSCAPE RESTORATION AND INCOME GENERATION TO RURAL SETTLEMENTS.


Education, Landscape and Community
LEARN +

IN THE PANTANAL AND CERRADO, WE ACT TO CONSERVE TWO SPECIES THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION AND WE FOSTER DIALOGUE WITH DIFFERENT SECTORS FOR SUSTAINABILITY.


Brazilian Tapir
LEARN +


Giant Armadillo
LEARN +


Pontes Pantaneiras Coalition
LEARN +

In Pontal do Paranapanema, through landscape planning, forest restoration and research into species such as the black lion tamarin, we generate benefits such as: improving people's income, combating climate change and conserving biodiversity in the region.


Corridors for Life
LEARN +


Community Nurseries
LEARN +


Agroforestry Coffee
LEARN +


Black Lion Tamarin Conservation Program
LEARN +


Research & Development
LEARN +

NAZARÉ PAULISTA (SP), LOCATION OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF IPÊ AND ESCAS, IS THE FOCUS OF ACTIONS FOR THE CANTAREIRA SYSTEM, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WATER SECURITY OF 7.5 MILLION PEOPLE. WITH CLIMATE SCHOOLS AND FOSTERING VOLUNTEERING, WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE AGENTS OF CLIMATE TRANSFORMATION.


Sowing Water
LEARN +


Climate Schools
LEARN +


ESCAS –School of Environmental Conservation and Sustainability
LEARN +


Volunteering for Biodiversity Conservation
LEARN +

IN BRASÍLIA, STANDS OUR REGIONAL OFFICE.

FOR THE ENTIRE NATIONAL TERRITORY, WE WORK IN the construction and regulation of THE FEDERAL VOLUNTEER STRATEGY IN INTEGRATED FIRE MANAGEMENT (MIF). TO THIS END, WE DISCUSS opportunities and challenges with volunteer and community brigade members, public authorities and civil society


Volunteering in Integrated Fire Management
LEARN +

our numbers IN 2023

+ de 970 thousand

trees planted in the Atlantic Forest

+ 6 thousand

people benefited from more sustainable productive activities

+ 8,5 thousand

people benefited from environmental education training and actions

3.134

families benefited, an increase of + 1,200% via LIRA compared to 2022

11.856

people benefited from Integrated Solutions in the Amazon

6 fauna species

researched for conservation

971 people

took classes at ESCAS / 70 scholarships

CHECK OUT OUR CURRENT NUMBERS

Year highlights

In our trajectory, year after year we bring together new achievements and actions that reinforce our pride in working for the conservation of biodiversity and encourage us to continue. Check out some of our 2023 highlights.

Acknowledgement Award
Acknowledgement Award

Whitley Awards, from the Whitley Fund for Nature, United Kingdom, awarded IPÊ in an extra (and surprise!) category for 30 years dedicated to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

What’s with the Weather Podcast
“Que Clima é Esse?” (What’s with the Weather) Podcast

The Sowing Water project launched the online program that features conversations with experts on climate change and impacts that are experienced in our daily lives. Available on major platforms.

Pantanal Conservation
Pantanal Conservation

IPÊ and partner institutions held the 1st Pontes Pantaneiras Forum in August, in Campo Grande (MS), an event with more than 530 participants to debate a future for the region, highlighting land use and appreciation for the Pantanal identity.

Amazon Legacy
Amazon Legacy

The LIRA project assembled in Brasília (DF), more than 350 people involved in the the Amazon conservation to propose paths to the biome's challenges, including forest fires and climate change.

ESCAS Circuit
ESCAS Circuit

ESCAS, IPÊ's educational initiative, launched a circuit of quick classes in Conservation and Sustainability. We offer 7 axes with 4 online quick classes each, which can be taken separately.

20 years of UNS
20 years of UNS

The IPÊ Sustainable Business Unit completed 20 years. Since 2003, the area has been responsible for more than 30 institutional partnerships and campaigns that have contributed to promoting our cause. Learn +

Female Leadership
Female Leadership

88% of technical and management positions at IPÊ are women. Presidency and vice-presidency are held by women. Ten of the 19 councilors are also women.

Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and Inclusion

Our Diversity and Inclusion program was created to expand discussions on the topic and apply affirmative policies. When hiring professionals, we encourage applications from black, indigenous people and those from the LGBTQIAP+ community. ESCAS is constantly seeking to provide scholarships to indigenous people.

Our action pillars

IPÊ projects are divided into four pillars of action, which guide the organization of our content in this Report. Learn more in the video.

Applied Research, Science and Innovation

We create knowledge through species research projects, forest restoration and sustainable production models, using it to develop solutions that make a difference in biodiversity conservation. Our premises are involving the communities we support and valuing traditional wisdom, which we incorporate into our studies and actions, making a big difference in results. In all of our projects, Science is applied in practice and closely monitored by all those who directly benefit from it. In this way, we encourage innovation.

CORRIDORS FOR LIFE

This project in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, in the west of the state of São Paulo, brought us expertise in large-scale planting. In 20 years, we restored 3,935 hectares of priority areas for fauna and flora connectivity, planting more than 6.7 million trees native to the Atlantic Forest. Of this total, 2.4 million trees connect the Morro do Diabo State Park (PEMD) to the Mico-Leão-Preto Ecological Station, in the largest corridor ever restored in the biome. We encourage at least 10 local community businesses to plant and maintain restored areas.

CORRIDORS FOR LIFE

CORRIDORS FOR LIFE

ícone localização
Pontal do Paranapanema – state of São Paulo
Key results in 2023:

Restoration of 465 hectares with the planting of 791.200 seedlings to create new ecological corridors in the area.

Hiring three more companies for planting and maintaining restored areas. There are already 11 local enterprises in this sector promoted by the project.

110 people directly benefited among entrepreneurs and collaborators in the planting and maintenance areas.

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Contribution to the climate:

Forest restoration is strategic in mitigating the effects of climate change, which is why one of Brazil's goals is to recover 12 million hectares. In 2021, Corridors for Life was expanded by the partnership between IPÊ and Biofílica Ambipar, with the ARR Corridors for Life Project, to generate carbon credits, and restore 75 thousand hectares by 2041. There is potential to sequester 29 million tons of CO2eq in 50 years.

Next steps:

Increase the forest area in the region, through ecological corridors, also promoting entrepreneurship in the region, related to the production of native seedlings in local nurseries and the hiring of service providers for planting and maintaining these areas. Promote the continued training of professionals involved in restoration, in addition to researchers.

Black Lion Tamarin Conservation Program

The origins of IPÊ lie in conservation initiatives for the black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus) in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, in the state of São Paulo. In almost 40 years, we have identified more than 10 tamarin populations and contributed to the management and establishment of a new population. Our efforts led to a change in its conservation status from “critically endangered” to “endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). IPÊ benefits the species' habitat through forest restoration, as well as the people who live in the region with environmental education actions. The black lion tamarin is recognized as a species symbol of fauna conservation and environmental heritage in the state of São Paulo.

Black Lion Tamarin Conservation Program

Black Lion Tamarin Conservation Program

ícone localização
Pontal do Paranapanema - state of São Paulo
Key results in 2023:

Holding a workshop to develop a population management program for the species, in collaboration with the National Center for Research and Conservation of Brazilian Primates, of ICMBio.

Application of the Rapid Population Assessment Protocol (PRAP) to 3 populations, which uses acoustic monitoring, habitat quality measurement and genetic and health studies to assess the situation of each group and define the best strategies.

Implementation of the Mico-Leão-Preto Trail, in the Morro do Diabo/Fundação Floresta State Park.

Around 380 students, from 3 public schools and 2 welfare institutions, 20 teachers and 20 family members benefited from environmental education actions.

3 scientific articles published.

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Contribution to the climate:

Black lion tamarins are important seed dispersers and thus help restore and maintain forests, which contributes to carbon storage and the generation of ecosystem services.

Next steps:

Translocate groups of tamarins from Morro do Diabo State Park to a forest fragment located on private property in the Pontal do Paranapanema region. Perform habitat management with the creation of passages for fauna, enrichment plantings in fragments and installation of artificial hollows in restored areas.

Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative – LTCI

With 25 years of experience, LTCI-IPÊ is recognized for presenting the largest database on the Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris). It is a valuable resource for understanding the animal, threats and conservation opportunities throughout Brazil. The research methodologies and results support scientists who work with various tapir species in different countries. The initiative currently has research carried out in four Brazilian biomes (Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, Cerrado and Amazon). LTCI data has already been used in the National Action Plan for Endangered Ungulates.

Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative – LTCI

Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative – LTCI

ícone localização
Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, Cerrado and Amazon
Key results in 2023:

The detection of agrochemicals and metals in tapirs in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso do Sul raised concerns about the health of communities in the region. We collected biological samples from people to detect these substances.

Carrying out the “Caatinga Expedition – In Search of the Lost Tapir” to retrieve information about the historical and current occurrence of the tapir in the biome.

Launching of the documentary “Women in Conservation”, publicizing the work of Patrícia Medici, coordinator of the initiative.

150 people directly benefited.

2 scientific articles published.

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Contribution to the climate:

The Brazilian tapir is a great seed disperser, playing a fundamental role in slowing the loss of forest biodiversity. The species is recognized as a gardener of the forest because the seed that passes through the animal's digestive tract is ready to germinate. Thus, tapir conservation contributes to the maintenance of forests and their ecological functioning and, consequently, to climate balance.

Next steps:

Continue to implement mitigation measures for threats to the species, such as hunting, vehicle collisions, forest fires, contamination by agrochemicals and metals, and mining. Perform genome sequencing of 50 tapirs to study connectivity between populations and identify those that may need genetic rescue. Keep health care for this species, with mapping and monitoring of fungi, bacteria and viruses, and expand the detection of agrochemicals and metals in these animals and humans to other areas of the Cerrado and other biomes.

Giant Armadillo Project

Our research on the giant armadillo (Priodonte maximus) was fundamental in guiding us to create protected areas and conservation corridors in Mato Grosso do Sul. The project, which is a partnership between IPÊ and the Institute for the Conservation of Wild Animals (ICAS), was also instrumental in forming community firefighting brigades in Nhecolândia, which encompasses 22 farms in the Pantanal, protecting an area of 1,600 km². Finally, the Canastras and Beehives (Canastras e Colmeias) project managed to eliminate beekeepers' retaliation against giant armadillos in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso do Sul and is now expanding to other regions of Brazil.

Giant Armadillo Project

Giant Armadillo Project

ícone localização
Cerrado and Pantanal - state of Mato Grosso do Sul
Key results in 2023:

In the Pantanal, we discovered that more than 300 species of arthropods, especially insects, benefit from giant armadillo burrows.

Expansion of the use of trap cameras: 50 cameras in the Pantanal, 60 in the Atlantic Forest, and 85 in the Cerrado.

166 beekeepers benefited and recognized as friends of the giant armadillo, 150 in Mato Grosso do Sul and 16 between São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Pará, and Goiás.

Using the cameras, we identified two previously undescribed species of lizards and one species of lesser armadillo in Mato Grosso do Sul.

4 scientific articles published.

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Contribution to the climate:

The giant armadillo, known as nature's engineer, builds burrows that are also used by other animals. By maintaining a constant average temperature of 24°C, these burrows become a stable environment, helping various species to survive climatic variations and extreme temperatures.

Next steps:

Establish a new partnership to strengthen our conservation efforts in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso do Sul. Expand the reach of the Canastras and Beehives Project to the entire Brazilian territory. Also create a training center dedicated to training young conservationists.

Monitoring Biodiversity in a Protected Area with Forest Concession

Initiative linked to the Volunteering in Integrated Fire Management project, coordinated by IPÊ. Through it, we support the implementation of ICMBio's National Biodiversity Monitoring Program (Programa Nacional de Monitoramento da Biodiversidade - Monitora), on the Caxiuanã National Forest (PA), in a forestry concession area operated by Benevides Madeiras. The responses obtained from monitoring biodiversity in conserved areas and forest management will guide the conservation actions implemented by ICMBio, partners (forest concessionaires) and the local population. We have support from the United States Forest Service (USFS) and partnership with ICMBio, Ibama, Brazilian Forest Service and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi.

Monitoring Biodiversity in a Protected Area with Forest Concession

Monitoring Biodiversity in a Protected Area with Forest Concession

ícone localização
Caxiuanã National Forest – state of Pará
Key results in 2023:

Holding the Biodiversity Monitoring Workshop in Forest Concession, in Brasília, for around 30 key professionals from government agencies, researchers, and representatives of forest management concessions.

Training of 23 biodiversity monitors, of which 50% are residents of the Conservation Unit or surrounding areas, and therefore, knowledge multipliers in the community.

345 animals sighted, from 27 species, including those threatened with extinction, such as the jacupiranga and howler monkey, as well as large mammals: Brazilian tapir, puma, and black jaguar.

Among the 6 most sighted species in the conserved area, 4 (black-capped capuchin, brown howler monkey, agouti, and black lion tamarin) were also recorded in the management area.

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Contribution to the climate:

Species monitoring helps to analyze the effectiveness of protected areas, including those with forest concessions. In addition to the residents of the Conservation Unit, companies can also carry out forest management – which includes the sustainable extraction of wood and forest products. This highlights how strategic these territories are for regulating the climate, conserving biodiversity and valuing the traditional ways of life of their residents and the surrounding area.

Next steps:

Coordinate the consolidation of biodiversity monitoring in the Caxiuanã Flona with ICMBio, the Brazilian Forest Service and Ibama, with the expansion of performed monitoring protocols. Evaluate the interinstitutional process of implementing monitoring and its impact on forest management. Holding a Knowledge Meeting with researchers, monitors, conservation unit managers, local community and partner institutions.

Sowing Water

The main goals of the project are to prevent the environmental degradation of the Cantareira System and contribute to the water security of more than 7.5 million people in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Campinas and Piracicaba. Highlighting the creation of a network of environmentally appropriate rural properties, where rural owners also become disseminators of sustainable production systems. We also influence public policies in Nazaré Paulista (SP), through participation in the Community Council for the Defense of the Environment (Condema), and we encourage the formation of Socio-Environmental Collectives in the Climate Schools project, for mitigation and resilience actions to climate change.

Sowing Water

Sowing Water

ícone localização
Cantareira System – states of São Paulo and south of Minas Gerais
Key results in 2023:

Implementation of 160 hectares of sustainable production systems underway in the pilot project for territorial development with the Secretariat for the Environment of the State of São Paulo.

Coordination with national and international universities for the visit of students to 17 Demonstration Units, so that they can see sustainable actions in practice.

2 scientific articles published.

40 thousand tree seedlings planted, 10 thousand of which in production systems, multifunctional forests, and ecological pasture management, and 30 thousand in forest restoration.

More than 33 families received technical assistance on sustainable production systems implemented on their rural properties.

More than 200 people participated in thematic courses focused on rural production.

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Contribution to the climate:

The trees planted by the project absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and contribute to landscape connectivity, biodiversity conservation and providing of ecosystem services. Its roots decompress the soil and improve rainwater infiltration, helping to increase the water resilience of the Cantareira System.

Next steps:

Through partnerships, we will certify carbon credits from ecological restoration and agroecological systems. We will also expand Climate Schools to other cities in the Cantareira System.

Research & Development

After evaluating the return of animals in restored forest areas and the economic value of ecosystem services within the scope of a Research & Development project – R&D ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) in partnership with CTG Brasil, we moved in another direction in 2023 Through a partnership with FGV – Fundação Getúlio Vargas, we conducted interviews with the local population, who identified 14 of the 18 Contributions of Nature to People (CNP) in the surroundings of Environmental Conservation Areas.

Research & Development

Research & Development

ícone localização
Pontal do Paranapanema (SP)
Key results in 2023:

Completion of research on the development of simplified procedures for the non-monetary valuation of cultural ecosystem services associated with forest restoration.

The same research revealed that microbasins with a higher percentage of forest had lower sediment concentration values, reinforcing restoration as strategic for the water quality in the region.

99.9% of those interviewed in three municipalities of the area are certain of the importance of restoring forests in the region.

Conclusion of the study on simplified procedures for the qualitative sociocultural valuation of ecosystem services associated with forest regeneration and maintenance, in Environmental Conservation Areas (ECAs).

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Contribution to the climate:

By covering 62 fragments of native forest influenced by environmental changes, the project gathered information that highlights and assesses the value of natural capital and ecosystem services. This knowledge is important for facing climate crisis and scarcity of natural resources.

Next steps:

The project started in 2020 and concluded in 2023. It is expected that data collected and delivered will support the importance of actions aimed at conserving biodiversity and water resources in the region, with emphasis on forest restoration, which brings benefits to all species, including human beings.

Articulation and Networks

Biodiversity conservation cannot be done in isolation. It is necessary to combine information and knowledge, cooperation and sharing experiences. Therefore, we operate in a wide network, promoting coordination between different fronts, including communities participating in projects, civil society, companies and governments institutions, always being accountable to the public benefiting from our actions. In this way, we increase the results of everyone's efforts for nature.

LIRA – Integrated Legacy of the Amazon Region

In 2024, we will complete Phase 1 of this initiative of five years. Through LIRA, 50 projects were financed in total, with the participation of 125 entities, including community and indigenous associations, cooperatives, civil society organizations, companies and government and research institutions. LIRA acts as a fund and connects organizations in actions to reduce deforestation, promote sustainable forest management and strengthen links in production chains. The main results are available in the publication “LIRA em Ação (in Action)”.

LIRA – Integrated Legacy of the Amazon Region

LIRA – Integrated Legacy of the Amazon Region

ícone localização
The Amazon
Key results in 2023:

Legado Amazônico (Amazon Legacy) Seminar, highlighting solutions to the challenges of the biome. 357 guests participated.

Carrying out the LIRA Fund Training Track, with in-person and virtual modules, on topics related to the institutional strengthening of extractive and indigenous organizations.

Partnership with ICMBio to test technologies linked to integrated fire management and to structure the registration of residents of Conservation Units for access to public policies, such as Bolsa Verde (Green Fund).

11,570 people benefited, including support for structuring to strengthen production chains, territorial management actions, surveillance, and training.

1 scientific article published.

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Contribution to the climate:

Actions that strengthen forest people and the effectiveness of protected areas are proven to be a barrier to illegal activities, such as deforestation, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and climate regulation. Supporting socio-biodiversity production chains in these areas is also strategic to keep the forest standing and, at the same time, respect and value the traditional knowledge of these populations.

Next steps:

Start the second phase of LIRA, with the promotion of 6 regional development hubs linked to production chains. In this phase, strengthen a laboratory for DNA analyzes associated with environmental health in the Amazon. Consolidate the LIRA Fund, with support for 60 projects from locally based organizations, in addition to initiatives led by young people in the region and researchers on the topic, not restricted to the Northen region in this case.

Pontes Pantaneiras Coalition

The Coalition has been, since 2022, identifying strategies to boost dialogue on economic development combined with the conservation of the Pantanal and the valorization of Pantanal areas. Pantanal Bridges: Connecting people, culture, biodiversity and sustainability is a coalition between IPÊ, Embrapa Pantanal, Smithsonian and University College London (UCL). The initiative receives financial support from Pew Charitable Trusts, from various sectors. The coalition's starting point was articulations originating in the workshop “Development of a Pantanal Conservation Network” held in 2018 at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, with researchers, conservationists and rural landowners.

Pontes Pantaneiras Coalition

Pontes Pantaneiras Coalition

ícone localização
PANTANAL
Key results in 2023:

Holding of the 1st Pontes Pantaneiras Forum, with the participation of 538 people, 55% women and 38% young people.

The forum featured 115 speakers, of which 58% were women and 25% were indigenous, quilombolas, or from traditional communities.

Preparation of an assessment on the effectiveness of management of Pantanal Conservation Units.

Joint identification of strategies for the strengthening of a national park, three state parks, and the Pantanal territory.

Development of the Report of the 1st Sustainable Livestock Workshop for the Pantanal, which identified obstacles and solutions for the sustainability of livestock farming in the region.

593 people benefited.

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Contribution to the climate:

In medium and long terms, the project will contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and mitigation of climate change impacts in the Pantanal, promoting integrated management of the territory and the action fronts in sustainable livestock farming, Conservation Units and Pantanal Bridges Forum.

Next steps:

Organize and hold the 2nd Pontes Pantaneiras Forum in 2025, implement strategies for effective management of protected areas in the Pantanal, develop and implement sustainability indicators to be monitored with rural producers.

Volunteering for Biodiversity Conservation

Developing volunteering initiatives is an essential strategy to bring society closer to protected areas and contribute to the effective conservation of nature, donating time and knowledge to care for a heritage that belongs to all of us. Over 20 companies have already participated in volunteer actions in the Cantareira System region that resulted, among other highlights, in the planting of 10 thousand seedlings of trees native to the Atlantic Forest. IPÊ also contributes to partnership with companies, implementing the Volunteer Program for Conservation and Climate Action in Conservation Units, and maintains a partnership with the Brazilian Center for Corporate Volunteering (CBVE).

Volunteering for Biodiversity Conservation

Volunteering for Biodiversity Conservation

ícone localização
Cantareira System and Jaraguá State Park (SP)
Key results in 2023:

90 company employees, 15 from Aquama, 30 from EDP, 15 from Havaianas, and 30 from CHEP, dedicated a day to voluntary work in the Cantareira System region, by planting tree seedlings around the Atibainha reservoir in Nazaré Paulista (SP) and learned about the challenges of water security.

As volunteers, 24 LinkedIn professionals participated in an action at Jaraguá State Park (SP) which consisted of painting the viewpoint's guardrails, organizing the native seedling nursery, and planting trees.

12 professionals from IAMAR participated in the Climate Mural at IPÊ headquarters, interacting based on the provocations of a 42-card game with information extracted from the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

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Contribution to the climate:

Climate change is one of today's biggest challenges and acting directly on forest restoration is a concrete way for a company to contribute to this issue. Seedlings planted by employees are part of the restoration of degraded areas, biodiversity conservation and water production for the Cantareira System.

Next steps:

Mobilize more company leaders to incorporate Corporate Volunteering, both by employees and partners, as an activity scheduled in the organization's calendar. Attract the interest of this public in volunteering in partner Conservation Units.

VOLUNTEERING IN INTEGRATED FIRE MANAGEMENT

This initiative was started by IPÊ in 2022 and aims to support the structuring of a Federal Volunteering Strategy in Integrated Fire Management (MIF) and its regulation. The objective is to expand integration between voluntary and community brigades, public authorities and civil society and promote safe and effective action by these groups. To date, we have mapped around 200 volunteer and community brigades in the country, virtually the same number of contracted federal brigades. Volunteers include indigenous people, riverside dwellers, family farmers, extractivists, quilombolas, as well as other profiles from rural and urban areas motivated by contributing to the conservation of territories. The work is performed by IPÊ under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and in partnership with ICMBio – Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade) and Ibama – Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis) and financed by Cooperation Brazil -Germany for Sustainable Development, through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

VOLUNTEERING IN INTEGRATED FIRE MANAGEMENT

VOLUNTEERING IN INTEGRATED FIRE MANAGEMENT

ícone localização
National territory
Key results in 2023:

Holding of the II Meeting of Good Practices in Volunteering: Integrated Fire Management, in Alter do Chão (PA), with the presence of people from all regions of the country.

Holding the II Brazilian Volunteer Forum for Conservation and Climate Action: Integrated Fire Management, 100% online and free of charge.

Three workshops held to build the Federal Volunteer Strategy for Integrated Fire Management.

Organization of the Volunteer Workshop on Integrated Fire Management at the International Wildland Fire Conference, in Porto (Portugal).

Around 140 people from public authorities, civil society organizations, and representatives of voluntary and community brigades are contributing to creating public policies, integration, and knowledge exchange.

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Contribution to the climate:

By expanding, strengthening and guiding society's participation in volunteering for integrated fire management, the project values different sectors’ contribution to the protection of landscapes, territories and local ways of life. It is a way to help reduce the number and intensity of forest fires and minimize negative impacts on climate and biodiversity.

Next steps:

Complete the Federal Volunteer Strategy for Integrated Fire Management and its regulation and contribute to its implementation. Develop a Communication Plan and a Political Pedagogical Project for the strategy. Test and validate planning and integration strategies between public authorities, volunteer and community brigades in the Baixo-Tapajós Region, in Pará state as a pilot project. Support the implementation of the Strategy and the institutional strengthening of volunteer and community brigades across the country.

Education

We promote the transformation of a traditional model of production and behavior into multiple proposals for a fairer and more sustainable world in the environmental, economic and social spheres, in tune with the challenges of climate change. Our actions cover public schools and communities in the territories where we operate and engage agents who work with education in the country, volunteers and our postgraduate school, ESCAS.

ESCAS – SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

For over 25 years, ESCAS has worked to train leaders who operate on sustainability, conservation and climate actions, so necessary in contemporary society. More than 8,200 people from different academic backgrounds have already attended our courses: Professional Master's, Postgraduate in Environmental Business Management, short term and in-company classes. The 2023 master's class in Nazaré Paulista (SP) was the largest ever recorded, with 31 students, proving that the school remains at the educational forefront in the sustainability area.

ESCAS – SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

ESCAS – SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

ícone localização
Nazaré Paulista – state of São Paulo, Porto Seguro – state of Bahia, in addition to 100% online courses
Key results in 2023:

Launching of the new website and profiles on social networks LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.

2 courses conducted, one on conservation in the Atlantic Forest and the other on socio-environmental development in the Amazon, in partnership with the University of Colorado.

This year, ESCAS had 971 students, of which: 69 in the Professional Master's Degree, 16 in the Postgraduate Degree, 761 in the short-term courses, in addition to 83 students in the in-company courses and 42 in the courses aimed at the public abroad.

Completion of the first cycle of the Short Course Circuit with 370 students.

Distribution of 70 scholarships, of which: 51 for the Master's Degree in Nazaré Paulista (SP), 12 for the same course in Porto Seguro (BA), 3 for Postgraduate Studies, and 4 for short-term courses.

47 scientific articles published.

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Contribution to the climate:

In our courses, we work on the topics of climate, biodiversity and sustainability directly or transversally to train professionals with the potential to contribute to biodiversity conservation, mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting sustainable business.

Next steps:

Submit a professional doctorate course proposal to Capes; develop a technical series with master's works that focus on practical application; and launch the ESCAS Journey, a sequence of courses focusing on climate, community and biodiversity.

EDUCATION, LANDSCAPE AND COMMUNITY

The first phase of the project carried out participatory planning combining forest restoration, rural production, such as Agroforestry Systems (SAFs), with income generation for four rural settlements, in the municipalities of Alto Rio Novo and Águia Branca, in state of Espírito Santo. The properties have been participating since 2021 and have the potential to respond to the Rio Doce Permanent Preservation Areas Recovery and Water Recharge Program. The initiative is funded by Renova Foundation and is part of the School and Community Integration project line, performed by IPÊ and ESCAS, IPÊ's educational front.

EDUCATION, LANDSCAPE AND COMMUNITY

EDUCATION, LANDSCAPE AND COMMUNITY

ícone localização
Rural settlements in Alto Rio Novo and Águia Branca – state of Espírito Santo
Key results in 2023:

Definition of strategic areas for restoration, based on the protection of 25 springs located in the settlements.

200 hectares of Agroforestry Systems (SAFs) and forest restoration planned collaboratively.

On 40 hectares, where 35 settled families live, we carried out fencing to protect the future restoration area from livestock access.

Participatory implementation of 4 forest nurseries in the settlements.

More than 30 families involved in the sale of 8 tons of seeds of Atlantic Forest species for the restoration of the Doce river basin.

More than 100 families benefited from training, and property planning.

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Contribution to the climate:

The initiative promotes protection of spring areas, conservation of Permanent Preservation Areas and Legal Reserves in settlements with tree planting, in addition to promoting Agroforestry Systems (SAFs), activities that mitigate global warming. Courses on watershed management, water and forest resource conservation, Agroforestry Systems and seedling production for restoration also contribute to addressing climate and biodiversity challenges.

Next steps:

The goal of the project’s second phase is to strengthen integration between rural producers and regional partners, start implementing SAFs and continue forest restoration in the settlements and neighboring areas of small farmers. These initiatives will follow the model of regional forest corridors. We will also test agroecological production models and contribute to the formation of three seed collection and marketing associations.

Climate Schools

The project, which aims to expand the presence of climate education in the final years of elementary school and high school, offers technical and financial support for the implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation actions in public schools. Students, teachers, administrative staff and community members form Socio-Environmental Collectives, which develop and implement solutions for their school and surrounding areas. Currently, there are six collectives in São Paulo state, covering five state schools in Nazaré Paulista and one in Paulínia. We are partners with the Alair Martins Institute, AWS Amazon and are part of the Sowing Water Project, sponsored by Petrobras, through the Petrobras Socioenvironmental Program.

Climate Schools

Climate Schools

ícone localização
Nazaré Paulista and Paulínia - state of São Paulo
Key results in 2023:

Climate mitigation and adaptation measures: 5 outdoor classrooms, 3 herb spirals, 1 agroecological garden, 4 compost bins, and 5 agroforestry systems (SAFs), with the implementation of selective waste collection in 6 schools.

Holding of the 1st Meeting of the Socio-Environmental Collectives of Nazaré Paulista and the 1st Local Climate COP, at IPÊ headquarters.

150 people directly impacted by the project, participating in the Collectives.

Launching of 10 proposals for socio-environmental activities for elective subjects in primary and secondary education.

Holding the "Climate Mural" Workshop at events promoted by IAMAR - Alair Martins Institute, in Uberlândia (MG): II Seminar on Interdimensional Education and X Exhibition of Entrepreneurial Attitudes.

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Contribution to the climate:

With the project, we help prepare school communities for climate challenges in a democratic and resilient way. By planting native and fruit trees, for example, we contribute to absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, conserving and enriching local biodiversity. Sustainable food production practices improve food security, people's health and regulate local microclimates.

Next steps:

Support socio-environmental groups in holding events in the communities where they are located; systematize the Climate Schools methodology, converting it into replicable and scalable social technology; and expand the project’s operating territory.

Immersions

The project promotes experience, education and exchange of regional, national and international knowledge in initiatives developed by IPÊ in the region of Lower Rio Negro, in Amazonas state. On board the Maíra I boat, we take students and professionals from organizations, universities and companies to visit the areas where our projects are developed, so that they can learn more about this part of the Amazon territory and the solutions we implement. Visitation is carried out in a responsible and sustainable way.

Immersions

Immersions

ícone localização
Lower Rio Negro – state of Amazonas
Key results in 2023:

Leading 7 immersions and 3 rentals of the Maíra I boat for partner activities.

Participation in the 2nd Brazilian Trails Congress, organized by the Brazilian Trails Network Association, city hall of Niterói and Neltur, and in the XV National Meeting of ECOECO, of the Brazilian Society of Ecological Economy.

98 students from national and international universities experienced the immersion.

37 families and around 148 people benefited from the tourism brought by the project.

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Contribution to the climate:

By promoting a progressive change in the economic matrix within protected areas, we reconcile education, conservation and sustainable tourism. Actions like this reinforce the preservation of the forest as fundamental for the development of activities that generate income for communities in the short, medium and long term. Conserving forests and biodiversity also means contributing to the provision of nature services, in the case of the Amazon, especially with climate regulation.

Next steps:

Increase the number of trips to make the project viable and invest more in its publicity. This way, we will be able to generate more direct and indirect benefits for the communities of Lower Rio Negro.

Networking: agroecology in southern Bahia

In the project, we hold courses on forest restoration and sustainable production systems for extension workers and rural producers. With this, we hope to promote these activities and connect forest fragments in the region known as the Central Atlantic Forest Corridor. The classes take place in partnership with ELTI - Environmental Leadership Training Initiative, at Yale University. Mainly partnerships with local institutions. During the year, with the Faculdade do Sul da Bahia (FASB), we carried out a socio-environmental survey of some areas with the potential to become Demonstration Units for agroforestry systems.

Networking: agroecology in southern Bahia

Networking: agroecology in southern Bahia

ícone localização
Southern Bahia state
Key results in 2023:

3 short-term online courses held in partnership with ESCAS/IPÊ, ELTI/Yale, and the Dispersar Program of the Brazilian Society for Ecological Restoration (SOBRE). 119 professionals completed the courses.

Approval of Land Use Intervention Projects – Connection Corridors to identify areas suitable for environmental restoration and engage owners and community leaders to promote corridors between forest fragments.

One scholarship offered by the ELTI Leadership Program.

20 family farmers and settlers participated in the Agroforestry Planning course, a partnership between IPÊ/ELTI/Yale, Instituto Fotossíntese, and UFSB. Around 80 people directly benefited.

Holding of the ELTI Leadership Program, which gives participants the opportunity to raise funds for actions related to agroecology, including three publications this year.

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Contribution to the climate:

Carbon markets, ecological restoration, agroforestry and productive recovery projects share the objective of promoting sustainable practices and contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change. Students taking courses on these topics become multipliers and implementers of these practices.

Next steps:

Expand course themes and audiences, with the support of our partners ELTI and SOBRE, as well as local institutions. Develop the reconnection initiative for the Central Atlantic Forest Corridor, which foresees 130 hectares restored by 2028 and up to 500 hectares in 2030. Establish new strategic partnerships to enable the implementation of the ecological corridor.

Sustainable Business

By associating economic and socio-environmental benefits with conservation actions, encouraging the bioeconomy, we promote initiatives that value forests, with the leading role of communities living in strategic areas for biodiversity conservation. Thus, we have articulated and encouraged socio-environmental entrepreneurship and sustainable business for more than 20 years.

AGROFLORESTAL COFFEE

Implementing Agroforestry Systems (SAFs) in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, in the extreme west of São Paulo, directly benefits 51 families through family farming. Highlight is the production of agroforestry coffee, grown in the shade of native and fruit trees, such as Tahiti lime and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis sp). This way, families diversify their diet and can supplement their income by selling surplus food. SAFs also perform the function of ecological springboards, contributing to the genetic exchange of plants and the crossing of animals, favoring biodiversity.

AGROFLORESTAL COFFEE

AGROFLORESTAL COFFEE

ícone localização
Pontal do Paranapanema – state of São Paulo
Key results in 2023:

692 kg of fresh coffee processed and transformed into Café Agroflorestal, resulting in 400 packages of 500 grams.

Compared to 2022, coffee production increased by 15%.

The coffee is sold at the IPÊ online store, at the IPÊ headquarters in Nazaré Paulista, at the IPÊ unit in Pontal, and in places such as Instituto Chão, in the city of São Paulo.

22 foreign students from the University of Colorado and 28 students from the Professional Master's program at ESCAS, IPÊ's school, visited the project.

51 families and more than 200 people benefited from SAFs.

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Contribution to the climate:

The temperature reduction promoted by SAFs favors the well-being of rural producers. As ecological springboards and being close to forest restoration areas, these production systems are also strategic for the dispersion of seeds and the consequent densification of areas, in addition to offering nature services such as climate regulation.

Next steps:

Raise resources to increase the number of SAFs in settlements in the region, encourage and strengthen the cultivation of Tahiti lime and sweet orange. Offer courses on the management and commercialization of SAFs and agroecology products.

COMMUNITY NURSERIES

Seedling nurseries are essential partners in all restoration actions, as a long path is covered from collecting seeds and growing seedlings, to the planting itself. In this project, performed in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, state of São Paulo, we encourage the creation of community nurseries and contribute to the training of professionals in this sector, generating jobs and income. Of the eight community nurseries in the area, two are teaching nurseries that welcome students to explain how nurseries are strategic for forest restoration.

COMMUNITY NURSERIES

COMMUNITY NURSERIES

ícone localização
Pontal do Paranapanema – state of São Paulo
Key results in 2023:

Valuing women in the production of native seedlings for forest restoration.

40 people directly benefited, including leaders and professionals who work in community nurseries, 52% of whom are women.

Promotion of regional development with the increase in the acquisition of inputs for seedling production, hiring of labor, and boosting the regional market.

The nurseries' seedling production capacity increased by 32% compared to the previous year, reaching 2.4 million seedlings per year.

From 2021 to 2023, the growth in the nurseries' seedling production capacity was 109%.

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Contribution to the climate:

The production of seedlings in nurseries promotes forest restoration, present in the entire climate improvement process. Trees cool temperature, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, protect the soil against erosion and shelter fauna and flora.

Next steps:

Make the transition from using plastic tubes to biodegradable ones. Encourage increased seedling production to meet the demand for forest restoration and contribute to community income. Continue training and retraining nursery workers.

Sustainable Business Unit

It's been 20 years of IPÊ's Socio-Environmental Business Unit (UNS), which started strategic partnerships with companies at the institution. We especially highlight the collaborations signed by Cause-Related Marketing (MRC). The unit also promotes and strengthens sustainable businesses performed by communities in regions where IPÊ operates, adding value to products and services linked to projects and generating income for the families involved. The Sustainable Business Unit also plants native trees from the Atlantic Forest in the Cantareira System region with support from the private sector. The Sustainable Business Unit also plants native trees from the Atlantic Forest in the Cantareira System region with support from the private sector. A total of 370 thousand seedlings have already been planted, with financing from over 15 companies.

Sustainable Business Unit

Sustainable Business Unit

ícone localização
In diverse locations
Key results in 2023:

Partnership with Truss to enable the Reflora pilot project of the first community nursery in the Nova Canaã community, in the Puranga Conquista Sustainable Development Reserve, in Manaus (AM).

Completion of the Caruanas project, which implemented 50 hectares of agroforestry on 71 rural properties in Baixada Fluminense (RJ).

Renewal of the partnership with União Química for the planting of 100 thousand seedlings in the 2023/2024 season in the Cantareira System region, state of São Paulo.

Planting of native trees from the Atlantic Forest: 122,198 seedlings in the Cantareira System and 17,790 within the scope of the Caruanas project.

83 families benefited, including 71 from the Caruanas project, 7 from the Costurando o Futuro project, and 5 from the Reflora pilot project.

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Contribution to the climate:

Ecological restoration carried out in partnership with companies, to bring forests back or to establish agroforests, contributes to the carbono absorption from the atmosphere, with positive impact on fighting global warming and conserving biodiversity.

Next steps:

Develop a new e-commerce structure at the IPÊ store to expand the sale of products in the communities where we operate. Identify new products, mainly from the bioeconomy, with potential for commercialization and greater visibility for actions carried out in the territories to generate income for the populations living in them. The expectation is to also expand strategic partnerships with companies.

Check out the highlights of 20 years of the Sustainable Business Unit:

Havaianas

The first Cause-Related Marketing partnership, the Havaianas-IPÊ collection, is a success story. Since 2004, the company has allocated 7% of the net profit from the sale of the sandals line to IPÊ. There are already 25 collections, with 60 models that portray 55 native species of Brazilian fauna. More than R$ 10.5 million has already been used to create an emergency fund and strengthen the institution. In 2023, R$ 209,301.00 were transferred to IPÊ, resulting from the sale of 110,919 pairs of sandals. The action shows the potential of intersectoral partnerships, supporting our cause and generating value for everyone involved.

Martins Group

One of the Sustainable Business Unit's first partnerships was the Martins Group, started in 2003, and led to the first corporate donation: the Maíra boat. The vessel remains a key piece in the Navigating Entrepreneurial Education and Reflora projects and in the Immersions expeditions, in the Lower Rio Negro region.

Ecoswim

Around 700 people swam for nature in the 14th edition of Ecoswim, at the Olympic Training and Research Center, in São Paulo, in 2023. Part of each registration is donated to IPÊ. R$ 25,000 was donated to the IPÊ school nursery, in Nazaré Paulista (SP), which produces seedlings of trees native to the Atlantic Forest. The competition is an initiative of students and alumni of the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (Poli-USP).

Arredondar

For 10 years, IPÊ has been among the institutions that are part of the Arredondar (Rounding Up) Movement and has already received more than R$ 500,000 in change. Havaianas’ own stores (in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) round up exclusively for IPÊ. The Institute was also chosen by Tribanco to round up the amount of their Tricard card invoice.

LinkedIn

Since 2021, IPÊ and LinkedIn have been developing free courses and events to discuss the topic of ESG. In 2023, the meeting “How to leverage ESG strategies with LinkedIn Learning (Como alavancar as estratégias de ESG com o LinkedIn Learning)”, the education platform of this social network, took place. In addition to the courses, IPÊ and LinkedIn are also partners in the Navigating Entrepreneurial Education in the Amazon project.

ESG

The second edition of the course "ESG from Theory to Practice: dealing with complexity" was held. The initiative brings together in coordination the expertise of IPÊ – Institute for Ecological Research, UNS – IPÊ Sustainable Business Unit and the Bryah Institute specializing in leadership training, managed by ESCAS/IPÊ – School of Environmental Conservation and Sustainability. The course coordination is signed by Suzana Padua, president of IPÊ; Andrea Peçanha, coordinator of the IPÊ Business Unit and Adriana Machado, founder of the Bryah Institute.

Donations from Individuals

Donations from people who are interested in the cause of socio-environmental conservation are important for us to move IPÊ projects forward. In 2023, the institute received R$ 80,494.00 from individuals. Donations of this type started five years ago and since then we have received a total of R$ 410,103.36 (US$ 78,070.00).

D4Sign

Partnership with the electronic and digital signature company will transfer 10% of the value of each sale made on the website to IPÊ shares. The resource is linked to D4Sign's Individual, Professional, Corporate and Unlimited plans – with annual and lump sum payment terms. In 2023, R$ 40,000 was transferred to IPÊ. Andrea Peçanha, coordinator of UNS, participated in the podcast Assino Em Baixo, by D4Sign, to present IPÊ and its actions.

Venturini IP

In 2023, the partnership with the company began with consultancy to register intellectual property for IPÊ's social technologies, such as Climate Schools. Furthermore, in 2024 and 2025, 80% of the profit obtained from each registration made on the Verde IP online platform, which aims to reduce bureaucracy in trademark registrations, methodologies and processes, will be donated to IPÊ.

FINANCIAL DATA

IPÊ is a non-profit organization. Our initiatives, projects and structure depend on resources from funding, partnerships, notices and national and international donations.

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IPÊ IS COMMITTED TO THE UN GLOBAL AGENDA

Our projects, developed with an integrated approach involving scientific research, education, community involvement, sustainable production and forest restoration contribute to the following SDGs:

ODS 1
ODS 2
ODS 6
ODS 11
ODS 12
ODS 13
ODS 15
SUPPORTERS WHO MAKES IPÊ

Coordination: Paula Piccin Texts: Cibele Quirino Editing: Bem Comunicar Design: Ed Santana Illustrations: Shirley Felts Development: Olivas Digital Translation: Clarice Yamasaki