The impacts of climate change are increasing at an alarming rate
WWF Estimates 27% of the Amazon will be without trees by 2030
The Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming
Our mission is to mitigate these effects by implementing a four pillar strategy
Our Story
On an adventure across the Bolivian Cerrado forests I learned of the widespread deforestation leading to climate change, causing fires to destroy much of the rainforest. It was clear something needed to be done to stop the trend, but the locals didn’t seem to understand what was causing the change. After spending several months in the Chiquitania I learned of the Baru tree and knew right away this local tree, which is found only in the Cerrado forests of Bolivia and Brazil, held the key to improving the future of this amazing area.
Changing the culture and mentality of an area isn’t easy but my team and I quickly began with training programs in the local communities. Our mission is to help educate the local population on how to gain economic growth and development through planting, harvesting, and maintenance of the Baru Nut tree.
Today we dedicate our work to influence thousands of lives in a green friendly social and economic way. We will be planting trees and creating a better future for over 30 communities in the Chiquitania area and will continue to do so for many more communities in the years to come.
- Jeff Zelinski
40,000
Planted Trees Since November 2020
10
Nurseries Constructed
30
Community Partners
The 4 Pillars
Forest
Management
Our goal is to influence private, public, and community land owners to restore critical masses of forest.Planting local tree species that provide natural habitat for the wildlife and economic growth for the people living there.Focus on areas under integrated agricultural and forestry production.Farming systems within natural forest ecosystems will yield high-quality timber dead or dying timber that can selectively be repurposed.
Develop Sustainable
Food Production
Integrated land management will support the establishment of Baru nut trees.Intercropping with Baru is encouraged. The communities can and will continue to plant and harvest by hand crops such as: Corn, sesame, yucca and other crops that have supplies a stable food source and income for their family for years.Fruit from the Baru tree is used for feeding livestock. In addition, this seed has been consumed by the local community members for generations.
Reducing global
CO2 Emissions
Dipteryx alata (Baru trees) are one of the world’s best species for CO2 conversion.Baru nut trees grow well in acidic, degraged land and require very little water.We plan on planting 1 million trees.Local training programs will help ensure the trees to maturity.
Indigenous Community
Economic Development
Activity will improve the income and living conditions of local farmers and their families.Supply local communities with seedlings, training, and supplies.Purchasing agreements with local farmers for harvests will promote prosperity among indigenous communities for decades to come.
Why Baru Nut Trees?
Chances are you haven’t eaten one or ever heard of them (the Baru nut), since they only grow in a special forest in Bolivia and Brazil, but they are one of the most nutritious and undiscovered superfood of the world.
The Baru nut isn’t actually a nut, it’s a seed which eliminates any nut allergies. The Baru tree is an excellent choice for reforestation because it requires low levels of maintenance, water use, and is fire resistant.
The Baru has 4 avenues to generate economic gain or nourishment from the communities:
1. The outer fruit is edible to the wild animals and livestock
2. The shell of the seed is being repurposed into charcoal, which that can then be used to make fires for cooking or be sold
3. The inner nut is the most nutritious and sought after in the amazon
4. The wood is a prized hardwood