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As the year draws to a close, we are proud to share the progress and impact of Treesistance’s efforts in 2024. From expanding Forest Guardian programs to launching new initiatives, our work has furthered the protection of Indigenous territories and vital ecosystems across the Amazon and Cerrado.

Key Highlights from 2024

• Forest Guardianship: Our Forest Guardian program now operates in 11 Indigenous territories across three Brazilian states, protecting 500,000 hectares of rainforest and cerrado.
• Water Guardians: In partnership with Indigenous leaders, we co-created and secured funding for the Water Guardians Program, launching January 2025. This initiative will protect the 160km coastline of the Tapajós National Forest.
• Renewable Energy: In collaboration with Greenchoice, we launched a €500,000 Green Energy Fund to address Indigenous communities’ energy needs, including powering monitoring equipment, water systems, and community spaces.
• Technological Advancements: Partnerships introduced satellite monitoring systems and low-tech tools, enabling real-time detection and response to illegal activities in Indigenous territories.

Standing Up for Justice and Sustainability

Our commitment to justice saw success this year, with legal action against soy farmers in the Lower Tapajós holding them accountable for encroachment. Meanwhile, the Indigenous Communications Network we developed will connect nine territories in 2025, streamlining communication and collaboration among Forest Guardians.

Building New Guardianship Programs

In 2024, we proudly launched five new Forest Guardian groups in the Lower Tapajós, with support from sponsors including Koffels Solicitors & Barristers and other international partners. This expansion brought new training, resources, and empowerment to communities defending their lands from illegal activities.

Looking Forward to 2025

As we head into the new year, we are optimistic about the launch of the Water Guardians Program, further expansion of the Forest Guardianship, and deeper collaboration with Indigenous communities. Together, we can continue to protect the biodiversity of the Amazon and support the resilience of its people.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the communities, partners, and sponsors who make this work possible. To read the full 2024 Impact Report, click here.

In July 2024, Chief Dadá Borari, head of the Treesistance Forest Guardians program, led a vital training session with the Pajurá community of the Tupinambá people. Located along the Tapajós River in the municipality of Santarém. The Tupinambá are known for their strong resistance and leadership in protecting their lands and culture.

The training brought together over 20 participants, including men and women of all ages. They learned essential skills in territorial defense, map creation, and fieldwork using mobile phones and GPS cameras. This initiative, supported by members of the Maró Indigenous Territory, was designed to equip the community with tools to safeguard their territory from growing threats.

A History of Struggle and Resilience

The Tupinambá people of the Lower Tapajós inhabit the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve (Resex), established in 1998 to counter threats from logging companies. Approximately 20 of the 70 Indigenous villages in the area belong to the Tupinambá. Despite their resilience, they have faced historical challenges in asserting their identity and land rights. Missionary activities and the devastating Cabanagem conflict, which wiped out up to 40% of the population in Grão Pará, almost erased their presence. This led many to believe that Indigenous groups in the region had vanished.

The creation of the Resex allowed the Tupinambá to reclaim their identity and demand the demarcation of their ancestral lands as Indigenous territory. This recognition would transform the current classification of the area and grant them greater control over their land.

Ongoing Threats and the Fight for Recognition

However, progress in officially recognizing Indigenous territories within the Resex has been slow. Frustrated by the delays, the Tupinambá began self-demarcating their lands in 2017. Their goal is to protect 350,000 hectares of traditional territory. They face numerous challenges, including large infrastructure projects such as the paving of the BR-163 highway, the Teles Pires-Tapajós Waterway, and the Ferrogrão railway. These projects, designed to transport commodities, threaten to disrupt their lands and way of life.

Illegal mining poses another serious risk. In 2019, illegal deforestation in the Tapajós region reached record levels, with 10,500 hectares of forest destroyed. The Covid-19 pandemic worsened the situation, leaving Indigenous communities more vulnerable and reducing state oversight.

Building a Stronger Future

This training marks a significant step forward in strengthening the Tupinambá’s ability to defend their lands. With the  support of Treesistance and with the a special thanks to Nordeq Management, a Danish advisory firm (who sponsored the formation), the community is building a network of Indigenous forest guardians dedicated to protecting the old growth forest in this region.

The determination and courage of the Tupinambá people are inspiring. Their efforts to safeguard their culture and territory against all odds serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity and self-determination. Together, they are building a brighter future for their community and the generations to come.