Junior Scientists @ Iracambi

Junior Scientists @ Iracambi is our exciting new program of Environmental Education that transforms schoolchildren in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest into forest guardians. Through hands-on education they learn the science of forestry, collect data on soils and water, and share their discoveries with their families, gaining a new understanding of the forest as a resource to be nurtured and not exploited.

So what's the problem?

One of the world's top five biodiversity hotspots, the Atlantic Rainforest is a place of extraordinary beauty and a treasure house of biodiversity. Tragically, much of its immense variety of flora and fauna is severely endangered by habitat loss - 93% of the Atlantic Rainforest has vanished. Unsustainable agricultural practices result in erosion, loss of soil fertility, low crop yields, over-grazing, and strain on water resources, leading to a vicious cycle of rural poverty and deforestation.

What's the solution?

We work with school children to make tree seedlings, plant and care for young trees, track changes in forest cover and water quality, share the results with their families, and promote new ways of conservation farming that bring money to poor farmers.

Potential Long Term Impact

While the fate of the rainforest affects us all, its future depends largely on those who live in it. Junior Scientists @ Iracambi aims to equip 400 schoolchildren with the tools they need to understand the connection between restoring forests, protecting soils and water, and living better. Through developing knowledge, skills and ability in the the younger generation we train future forest guardians to share with their parents opportunities that they themselves never had.

A project with a difference

Junior Scientists @ Iracambi is our first project to be funded through crowdsourcing. Our goal is to raise $12,000 and we're almost there. We've also managed to leverage an additional grant of $3000 to cover transport and snacks for hungry junior scientists, AND we've received the generous donation of equpment for water monitoring.