Local groups like REGUA work to help restore the Atlantic Forest in Brazil in partnership with HP and WWF .
REGUA promotes agroforestry techniques in the region : planting agricultural species , especially native ones , together with species that help to reestablish ecosystem functions in the area — for example , trees that fix more nitrogen in the soil , which in turn makes more nutrients available for the crops under production . Locke explains this reduces the need for artificial fertilizer , lowering costs to the farmers while potentially creating a higher market value for the products by making them organic .
Ecotourism has an important role to play here , too , with tourists coming to get a glimpse of rare flora and fauna , thus driving
New life sprouts on the trunk of a tree , left ; an ancient fig tree provides a habitat for local wildlife deep in the Atlantic Forest , right . economic development . Locals are employed as trail or animal guides and increasingly value the conservation efforts as they create more employment opportunities .
Over time , the message of mutual aid has started to get through as people have begun to see the wider benefits . “ The reserve came to be a new way to take care of the forest through work , offering options for a way we can live in communion with nature ,” says Locke .
A vision of the future It ’ s clear we can ’ t just plant our way out of the climate and nature crisis . But the Atlantic Forest shows we may be able to build a new future where people and nature thrive through partnership with governments , businesses , nonprofits , and local communities .
So far , the partners that WWF and HP work with , including REGUA , have created over 160 jobs in the region , and new standards have been set . Through the strengthening of multi-scale networks of local organizations and people , rural landowners , governments , and the private sector , WWF-Brasil is catalyzing the impact of these partners . “ We are showing people that we can align global ambitions with our national and local demand ,” says Venturi . “ We are creating a virtuous circle . Then … we can bring hope .”
REGUA was heralded at COP26 as a model of ecosystem restoration . The initial ambition of Nicholas Locke to restore a small area of farmland and forest has now expanded to be a part of the Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact to restore 15 million hectares by 2050 .
“ It is exciting to see the trees produce their first leaves and their first fruit after many years ,” says Locke . “ That ’ s what keeps me wanting to plant more . We ’ re able to create habitats that create the best chance for the forest ’ s survival .”
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