Brazil’s Redário Gathering: Collective Seed Planting for Ecological Restoration

In July, over 150 individuals from across Brazil gathered for the third annual meeting of the Redário, a hub for native seed collectors. This event, driven by a shared passion for ecological restoration, allowed participants to exchange knowledge and focus on seed production as a critical component of revitalizing Brazil’s forests.

The Role of the Redário

The Redário network fosters community-based initiatives focused on native seed collection and planting, serving a vital role in Brazil’s large-scale restoration efforts. It supports associations and cooperatives comprised of Indigenous peoples, quilombolas, and smallholder farmers across five biomes, including the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Amazon regions. These efforts are essential for maintaining biodiversity and restoring degraded ecosystems.

Experiences from the Meeting

Jimi Amaral, an agroecological transition coordinator for the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) in Brazil, attended the Redário meeting as a representative of the Regenerative Agriculture for the Conservation of the Amazon (ARCA) programme. His participation aimed to learn from the existing networks and apply insights to northeastern Pará, where ARCA plans to support seed-collecting initiatives.

Amaral highlighted the work of a network in Rondônia, which organizes seed collection in settlements, conservation areas, and Indigenous and quilombola lands. This network engages communities in identifying species with restoration potential, preparing a collection calendar, and distributing tasks among families. Income from seed sales is shared accordingly, with 60% going to the collectors and 40% covering operational costs.

Amaral noted the effectiveness of these protocols and their potential to be adapted for northeastern Pará, emphasizing the importance of such networks in meeting the region’s restoration needs.

Networks Benefit Both People and Nature

Aline Smychniuk, a socio-environmental analyst and manager at the Guaporé Ecological Action Seed Center (Ecoporé), underscored the importance of seed networks in the restoration chain. These networks are essential for supplying large quantities of high-quality seeds required by the market.

The Amazon Bioeconomy Seed Network (RESEBA), led by Smychniuk, includes over 300 seed collectors from various ethnic groups and communities, operating across several Brazilian states. The network trains collectors on best practices for seed collection, processing, and storage, benefiting both the ecological and economic realms.

Smychniuk recently joined the Redário Management Committee, representing community-based networks. She emphasizes the social benefits of these initiatives, which provide income opportunities for collectors and enhance the bioeconomy of local territories.

Impact and Future Prospects

The efforts of the Redário and its associated networks are vital for achieving Brazil’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals by 2036 and restoring 5.4 million hectares of forest by 2030. The demand for seeds and seedlings is significant, and initiatives like the ARCA programme aim to strengthen strategies that contribute to these ambitious targets.

By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, projects like the Redário are instrumental in promoting sustainable practices and ensuring the long-term resilience of Brazil’s diverse ecosystems.

Conclusion

The third annual meeting of the Redário underscores the importance of community-driven initiatives in ecological restoration. These efforts not only support the recovery of degraded landscapes but also provide economic benefits to local communities, promoting a sustainable and inclusive approach to conservation.

As Brazil continues to push forward with its restoration goals, the success of initiatives like the Redário offers valuable insights and inspiration for future projects.