The UnEndangered Forest Project

ekoapark

The UnEndangered Forest Project is a partnership between Novo Fogo, Porto Morretes, The Horus Institute and Ekôa Park in Morretes, on the southern coast of Brazil, in Paraná state, one of the Atlantic Forest areas of highest biodiversity on the planet. 

Our aim is to increase the number of existing trees that are now rare and endangered due to overexploitation in the past, when they were harvested as the most precious woods.

It is not easy to find seedlings of these species in commercial nurseries. Therefore, we are producing them ourselves, based on:

  • scientific knowledge;
  • botanical expertise;
  • technical knowledge and experimentation for seed germination in the nursery;
  • many people who are willing to plant trees back in the forest where they belong, for future generations.

Native heart of palm initiative

Palmito-jussara, or heart-of-palm, is a native palm essential for the survival of many native animals in the Atlantic Forest, especially birds and mammals. These palms have long been over-harvested, so natural populations have declined and need to be restored.

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This is how the project works:

Step 1
We work with experts in Botany and Ecology to find, map and monitor trees of indigenous, endangered species in well conserved areas of Altantic Forest on the Paraná coast.
Step 2
Seed collection most often requires special skills and equipment to climb into the tree crown and ensure that the fruits are ripe and the seeds are in good condition to germinate.
Step 3
Once collected, seeds are immediately delivered to the nursey at Ekôa Park for processing and sowing.
Step 4
Seedlings produced in the nursery are protected in the germination phase, then moved to an external, shaded area to get used to local environmental conditions.
Step 5
Seedlings are distributed to a network of landowners in the region for planting inside forest remnants with appropriate conditions for their growth and protection into the future.
Step 6
Landowners who receive seedlings plant them in the following days to maximize the chances of survival and development.
Step 7
We register the coordinates of each seedling for follow up. All data on the project, from landowners to seed collection, seedling production, and planting, is maintained in a database for future reference.
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Over time, when these trees reach maturity, each of them will produce seeds that the wind, animals, or water will disperse, enriching and improving the forest, especially in areas that were overexploited in the past.

Our network is open for new landowners who wish to plant native trees in private properties or in public spaces, such as city squares or parks. It is important that people get to know these precious species that are now so rare and little known.

If you onw land on the coast of Paraná and wish to join the program, you can receive seedlings at no cost and contribute to forest enrichment and conservation. When you accept the seedlings, you will receive information on each species and on how and where to plant the seedlings. 

The task of landowners is rather simple: to plant the seedlings inside a forest immediately after receiving them, register the location of each seedling using our cell phone app, and as feasible, follow  up to make sure they develop well and are not lost.

Are you interested in receiving seedlings?

Send us a message by email or WhatsApp.

plantando@novofogo.com | (41) 99162-8685

Where to plant these precious seedlings!

The factsheets available below on each species contain information on their native range, why it has become endangered, and the best type of soil or habitat for planting.