Project Yawanawa: Agroforestry & Aquaculture
Donation protected
Who are we?
Environmental Resiliency & Advocacy (ERA)
We are a dedicated team of ecological designers and earth care advocates deeply connected to indigenous wisdom. With over 20 years of collective experience and a vast network of experts, we bring specialized knowledge to ecological restoration and sustainability.
We implement, teach, and facilitate resilient design.
Our mission is to restore biodiversity while raising awareness and providing training to individuals and communities.
ERA is partnering with the Yawanawa tribe, the indigenous caretakers of the Amazonian rainforest in Acre, Brazil, to develop and implement a regenerative ecological design. Our focus is to help fortify the Yawanawa with resilient food systems, including forest & water conservation practices.
Our primary goals are to establish food sovereignty for the Yawanawa and restore the ecosystem, creating a replicable model that can be spread to neighboring villages, bioregions, and tribes, supporting them in safeguarding their land and resources.
Mutum, one of the 13 Yawanawa villages, aims to nurture its ancestral lands with thriving food forests and fish ponds by intergrating traditional tending practices and whole system's design. The ultimate goal is to protect their diverse medicinal and native plant species, ensure food sovereignty, and preserve their living culture and language for future generations.
The Yawanawa, known as the "People of the Wild Boar," safeguard 500,000 acres of the Amazon, playing a pivotal role in rainforest preservation. Renowned for their spiritual traditions, healing abilities, and culture, they've invited us to help preserve their way of life sustainably by employing a combination of regenerative and traditional ecological methods.
ERA is committed to the preservation of the Amazon, a crucial element in maintaining Earth's ecological equilibrium, often referred to as ‘the lungs of the planet’. Recognizing the invaluable efforts of indigenous tribes like the Yawanawa, who have safeguarded this essential ecosystem for generations, we join hands with them. We strive to enhance their endeavors, securing a prosperous future for both the tribe and the Amazon rainforest.
This multi-year project will undergo 5 phases of implementation, each involving a fundraising campaign to provide the necessary resources and materials to ensure the fulfillment of this regenerative vision.
Our First Journey:
In October 2023, our dedicated 3-person team embarked on a self-funded journey to Yawanawa Village, Mutum. The trip required five flights, a three-hour taxi ride, and an eight-hour boat journey. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we raised $5,419, covering 50% of the $11,000 cost.
During this transformative trip, we:
- Assessed habitat conditions, soil health, available resources, food sources, and current agricultural practices that contribute to soil degradation.
- Interviewed local leaders and engaged with villagers to understand their environmental challenges and the crucial importance of food sovereignty.
- Identified prime locations for agroforestry plantations and aquaculture systems and gathered on-site materials to improve soil quality and carbon cycling.
- Cataloged native species, food crops, trees, medicinal plants, and the equipment required for the next phases of our design.
- Developed a culturally relevant plan that integrates Yawanawa dietary preferences and spiritual practices for easy adoption.
- Four Yawanawa individuals were selected to be trained in regenerative ecological education, ensuring the longevity and expansion of these systems.
Your contribution supports our growth and next visit:
Since our initial trip, we have expanded our team and partnerships, bringing in additional expertise and resources to strengthen the project even further.
We are now preparing for our next journey with a 4-person team to:
- Begin hands-on training in soil health and regenerative ecological practices for the Yawanawa.
- Prepare a 10,000-square-foot area for planting our agroforestry plot.
- Utilize drone footage to map the village and collect more data for our 7-year comprehensive design plan.
- Document the entire journey to share with our supporters.
- Collect necessary data and information for the scope of the project.
- Visit other villages and other organizations currently practicing regenerative design for further research and development.
- Build relationships with local nurseries to begin cultivating seedlings of native plants and trees.
Your contribution, in any capacity, will serve as a catalyst for positive change and leave a legacy of stewardship for future generations. We thank all those who have already contributed and offered their support through meaningful donations.
Be a forest protector and support the forest guardians.
Thank you for considering our cause. We eagerly anticipate the possibilities that await.
Warm regards,
ERA team -
Ricky Baldonado & Timo Granzotti
To learn more about the mission and scope of the project, you can visit our website.
Organizer
ERA Environmental Resiliency and Advocacy
Organizer
Nevada City, CA