The Cerrado is the vast tropical savanna that stretches across central Brazil — covering more than 2 million square kilometres, making it the second-largest biome in South America.
An intricate mosaic of grasslands, forests, and wetlands, it is home to 5% of all species on Earth.
Yet despite its richness, the Cerrado is one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet.
Over half of its native vegetation has already been cleared, mainly for cattle ranching, soy production, and industrial agriculture.
This biome is the birthplace of many of Brazil’s great rivers — including the São Francisco, Tocantins, and Paraná — meaning its degradation threatens the water systems that sustain much of South America.
Today, the Cerrado stands as a critical frontier.
If we fail to protect it, we risk losing not only its unique biodiversity but also the delicate balance of the continent’s climate and water cycles.
In the Cerrado, we work with the Xavante people of TI Pimental Barbosa. The Xavante are an Indigenous people of the Cerrado region in central Brazil, primarily living in the state of Mato Grosso. They call themselves A’uwe Uptabi, meaning “the true people.” The Xavante are known for their strong social organisation, deep spiritual traditions, and their powerful connection to the savanna landscapes they have inhabited for centuries.
Their culture is rooted in collective strength and community life — expressed through elaborate initiation rituals, song, and ceremonies that reinforce unity and respect for the land. The Xavante have long been leaders in the struggle for Indigenous rights and land demarcation in Brazil, standing at the front lines of protecting the Cerrado from deforestation and agribusiness expansion.
Today, they continue to defend their territories and cultural identity, blending ancestral wisdom with modern strategies for conservation and self-determination.
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