The Black Jaguar Foundation: planting over 1.7 billion native trees in Brazil
The Black Jaguar Foundation’s (BJF) objective is to restore the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor, envisioned as the longest ecological corridor in the world. This large‑scale restoration initiative extends more than 2,600 kilometers and up to 40 kilometers in width along the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers, linking two critical Brazilian biomes: the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado savanna.
The Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor
The Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor in central Brazil covers 10.4 million hectares. Of this, 1 million hectares of nature (2.4 million acres) need reforestation. The corridor creates a continuous habitat for wildlife, promotes biodiversity, combats climate change, and strengthens local livelihoods by creating jobs. This makes BJF both an ecological and a social project.
Rabobank’s role
The financial contribution from Rabobank aims to improve the infrastructure of the nursery of native trees in Santana do Araguaia, Pará, so called Hub I, increasing its capacity. It also enables research into the possibilities for expanding BJFs infrastructure, enabling BJF to scale up their efforts to restore the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor.
The support for BJF aligns with Rabobank’s ambitions in the areas of climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainable land use, and strengthening local livelihoods. Through this large-scale project, jobs are being created and livability in the regio is improving.
Proven results
Black Jaguar Foundation has achieved strong results. By investing in the infrastructure, energy and water management, seedling loss has been prevented, and seedling quality has been improved from 40% in past years to 75% in 2025. As a result, a bigger number of seedlings can be produced and a larger area can be restored.
In 2025, 580.000 trees were planted, 7.500 kg of seeds collected, and over 65 new green jobs created.
BJF has also invested in cameras and other technology to monitor biodiversity improvement. In addition, part of the funding has been spent on education and restoration monitoring systems.
Part of Rabobank’s land use strategy
Although avoiding deforestation and land use change is the priority, Rabobank is increasing its contributions to nature restoration and conservation. The initial focus is on Brazil, but other regions will follow in the coming years. With Black Jaguar Foundation as an example, we want to demonstrate that restoration at scale is achievable. In the coming years, Rabobank and BJF will work closely together to further grow a strong and professionalized organization that can restore the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor for the long-term.