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Zág women defending earth and climate

Representative Name: Zág Instituto

Year: 2024

Country:

Brazil

Topics:

BiodiversityCapacity-BuildingCommunity EducationHealthy Ecosystems

Region:

Latin America and the Caribbean

About

The Zág Institute acts to save the endemic Araucaria tree, known as Zág, and preserve the Laklãnõ-Xokleng traditional knowledge in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The project fosters Indigenous Women’s central role in restoring ancestral practices for biodiversity protection by giving them a coordinating role in conducting reforestation programs.

They focus on educating youth, reintroducing native tree species while removing invasive plants, promoting regenerative farming. Connected to international networks, Zág Institute actively promotes women’s participation in regional and global governance. They also foster women’s financial autonomy through handicraft and organic honey production.

Climate impact

80,000 Zág seedlings have been planted, reducing around 930 tons of CO
Implements Indigenous Peoples’ practices for natural resource management.
Protects biodiversity and ecosystems by reintroducing native Zag species, threatened by extinction.

Gender impact

Involves Indigenous Women in decision-making processes through collective
governance structures
Promotes flexible schedules to balance personal, family, and community responsibilities
Ensures women’s participation in local, national, and international conferences

Scalability/eeplicability

Tree nurseries established in 4 villages with commitment to expand nurseries to other native areas of the Atlantic Forest.
Builds a local network for exchanging seeds and promoting the genetic diversity of native species.
Zag Institute shares Indigenous knowledge worldwide via the Global Landscape
Forum to replicate reforestation initiatives.

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