Why Brazil's Cerrado is so Worth Protecting
Most people think of the Amazon first when they think of Brazil – the Cerrado, however, is less known but equally worthy of protection. After all, the Serra de Santa Helena region near Sete Lagoas is one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world. The Serra is a true natural gem – but unfortunately, it is under enormous pressure. Deforestation, urbanization, and intensive agriculture threaten not only the unique landscape and local biodiversity, but also important water resources and the ability to store carbon.
That's why the Instituto Terrenus is committed to preserving local ecosystems, water reserves, and biodiversity. And we're helping – with reforestation and ecological regeneration in the region.
25,000 Trees Planted and That's Just the Beginning
Since the project started last year, around 25,000 native tree seedlings have already been planted in the region. Most of them during the rainy season between December 2024 and March 2025 – this is the ideal time for tree growth.
The plantings to date help to:
- stabilize degraded soils
- restore natural habitats
- improve the microclimate
- protect water sources
- and bring back biodiversity
Since many areas in the Cerrado are difficult to access or steep, our local partners not only rely on classic seedling planting, but also on a traditional Brazilian method: Muvuca de Sementes. This is a seed mixture of native tree, shrub, and legume species that is directly introduced into the soil. This method allows for natural regeneration even in hard-to-reach areas – a great gain for the long-term restoration of nature.
Support from Across the Region
What makes this project special is the strong involvement of the local population: Since planting primarily takes place on weekends and holidays, over 250 volunteers have actively participated – including families, children, seniors, local organizations, and schools. Many women are also actively involved – be it by providing land or participating in the planting activities themselves. In addition, valuable local partnerships are formed – for example, with the Democrata Football Club or UFSJ University, which supports the project with scientific advice, seeds, and research.
Planned: 94,000 More Seedlings
The project is long-term and continues immediately: A total of another 94,000 trees are to be planted from November 2025 to March 2026. Planned are:
- 30,000 seedlings in December
- 30,000 in January
- another 34,000 in February and March, including replantings
Another special feature of the project is that the Instituto Terrenus is currently developing an interactive platform where all seedlings and planting areas can be geolocated and documented. This makes it possible to precisely see where the trees are growing, how progress is being made, and what is currently moving the project. This makes reforestation visible, measurable, and accessible.
Why This Project is Especially Close to Our Hearts
As mentioned in the previous blog, which you can read here, this project is very special for NIKIN. Precisely because our co-founder Carla comes from Sete Lagoas, this project is a very personal concern for us. It is a community project, an educational project, and a nature conservation project that connects people – across continents.
And we are sure: It will not be the last project that we support in Brazil with so much passion. Would you also like to get involved? For every NIKIN product you buy, we plant a tree. Because together we make the world greener – step by step, tree by tree.
