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Joana Batista Gomes uses Pantanal conservation as a form of therapy. When she faces tough moments, she plants trees to overcome them.
Showing part of her work, she says: "These big mango trees were planted during a flood as therapy." She adds: "I saw the seedlings being carried away by the water, so I pulled them out, brought them back, and replanted them."
Besides providing shade, these trees supply food for many species. Birds enjoy the fruits that fall to the ground, and parrots, like maritacas, find shelter in their canopies. Joana, with 54 years of experience in the Pantanal, also relies on nature to combat illnesses.
“This is cambará,” she says. “It’s good for coughs, diabetes, and many lung diseases. You take the bark, pour boiling water over it, let it cool, store it in the fridge, and drink it.”
Joana lives in the Serra do Amolar, a remote region of the Pantanal with hills.
Wanessa Pereira Rodrigues, a sociologist working with the Instituto Homem Pantaneiro, an NGO that conducts research and develops conservation projects, emphasizes the growing involvement of local residents. "When they understand the projects, they realize they are the main actors in this effort, benefiting directly from it. They sustainably take from nature only what they need, minimizing environmental impact."
Raising awareness among riverside communities is crucial for protecting the biome, especially after the devastating fires of 2020, which caused severe damage to the Pantanal.
Manoel Garcia da Silva, head of the Serra do Amolar firefighting brigade, once contributed to deforestation with a chainsaw. Now, he is part of the team planting 25,000 native seedlings. He reflects on the transformation:
“Today, planting is a privilege for me. I’m not doing this just for myself; I’m doing it for everyone. If I do my part, and our brigade does theirs, we won’t lose the Pantanal."
Manoel and his team also focus on protecting the local wildlife. The trails and firebreaks they create in the hills will guide animals toward escape routes during future fires.
"During fire season, these paths become escape routes for animals. The 2020 fire caused the deaths of thousands of animals because they had no way out. There were no trails or firebreaks. Now, we try to prevent that by creating these corridors so the animals have a chance to survive," explained the local.