Reforesting the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil

The November rains have finally begun here in Rio de Janeiro, which means one thing for us in the Mata Atlantica: tree planting season has begun! 

We started the season with planting 100 seedlings of Jussara. Jussara is also known as the açai of the Mata Atlantica. It is famous for its superfood qualities and delicious taste in the form of ice cream. The jussara tree also produces a heart of palm, and for this reason it has been cut down in large numers and become highly endangered. In fact, it is a federal crime to cut a jussara tree. We have therefore included jussara as one of our principal fruit trees in our agroforest so we can protect this species. 

In our permaculture gardens, which have flourished since our last report, we are now adding the latest ring of the mandala which is made up of papaya trees. Due to good weather, restoration of the soil, and a whole lot of team work, our gardens have been highly productive, producing all sorts of vegetables such as lettuce, beets, carrots, kale, peppers, pumpkins, tomotoes, and eggplants. Check out a drone photo of the garden mandala!

With all the exciting progress we've been making in the gardens and agroforests, we have been able to share our knowledge with local landowners, community leaders, and government official through monthly courses. We have hosted 4 workshops on regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and sustainable cooking, and impacted over 80 people from the region in our courses. 

Thanks to all our supporters for making this all possible.

This is a very exciting time at Sinal since we are beginning a new cycle with our organic garden beds. This time, we have taken an approach of permaculture, designing a mandala in our main production garden. Circular designs make sense because it helps to spend less energy overall, and it is more favorable for a microclimate that attracts more biodiversity. Jorge Navas, a pioneer of permaculture with vast experience in the Amazon is helping us understand and carry in with the process.

At the same time, we have doubled our production of compost and have begun making biofertilizers, all organic and with local natural resources, to restore the soil around us to help nature regenerate itself. Sinal is concentrating its efforts in sending the message: healing the soil helps heal the enviroment, our food and ourselves! This is why we have also cook our meals with local, organic ingredients where we use the entirety of the produce so as to reduce waste and avoid buying packed food that will generate trash. 

A big thank you to our supporters for helping us take our steps toward a sustainable balance of the use of forest resources! we are in the process of structuring our lessons learned to share them with the community of land owners around us!