Young EcoLeaders of the Brazilian Rainforest

Dear wonderful donors!

Before we go any further we want to share with you a message that popped into our mailbox five minutes ago. It’s from one of our new donors, and it really brought a smile to our faces. Here´s what he says.

“Rainforests are hugely important to our global climate, and their protection comes from the people that live amongst them. Increasing ownership, knowledge and awareness of their importance amongst future generations is going to be key to driving the regional & global policy change that will protect them at scale.”

Yess! Right on. We couldn´t agree more. And his comment also applies to deforested areas..... 

So here is a quick note from the field about our most recent online course for environmental leaders, and we're profiling  one group which is a little different from the others. 

The group is based in an assentamento – which is a resettlement scheme for landless people. It's located in the northeast of the country in a region that has been almost completely deforested and is rapidly turning into desert. The team worked with local residents to identify a series of problems and came up with some interesting solutions as to ways of bringing hope to an impoverished community.

First the problems. 1. Dust storms. (Directly related to deforestation.) 2. Lack of income and a recurring cycle of poverty. (Directly related to the main economic activity, which is cutting the rapidly decreasing supply of timber.) 3. Trash which is polluting the meagre water resources. 4.The prevailing feeling that nothing can be done.

So here are their proposed solutions. First they will come up with a recycling plan – in partnership with the local town council. In exchange for correctly separating their garbage, local residents will be offered fresh produce. This fresh produce will come from the small agroforestry plot which is already in place, and a committee of local women has been appointed to concentrate on growing vegetables, with the objective of expanding production in order to generate additional income. They will also work together to sell their crafts – pottery and brooms made from palm fiber. Next they will involve the children of the settlement in a program of environmental education focusing on the positive aspects of revitalizing the land and revitalizing their community.

This group is heading for an ambitious goal, but that´s what environmental leadership is about, right?

Thank you for helping to make it possible. We´ll let you know how they get on!

with love and appreciation from Yasmin and the Iracambi Educators.