Guardians Worldwide

Guardians of Pacatuba

Guardians Worldwide

In 2019, with support from Guardians Worldwide (previously Forest Care), the Kariri-Xoco won a legal case in the Brazilian High Court that has allowed them relocate from Aldeia Kariri-Xoco to Cadoz Estate, a five hundred and fifty hectare stretch of forested land in the State of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil.

The land is now called Reserva Indigena Fulkaxo (Fulkaxo Ecological Reserve) and it is unique in its kind in Brazil for being a completely indigenous led and managed nature reserve.

Less than 10% of the Atlantic Forest's original cover survives in Brazil. Our goals for Fulkaxo Ecological Reserve are to:

1) achieve biodiversity gain by ensuring the number of key tree, plant and animal species increases in the next 5-10 years

2) to regenerate water springs: the land has 7 water springs four of which have dried up.

3) to plant native trees and achieve 90 per cent + survival rate.

Reserva Ecologica Fulkaxo is located in the State of Sergipe. in an area is known as Fazenda Cadoz de Pacatuba, and it is a fine example of restinga; that is, Atlantic Forest growing on sand ridges not far frm the coastline, at certain altitude. Given the poor quality of the soil, the forest is completely self-sustaining; any major variations in rainfall, heat, can destabilise the ecosystem.

The site contains many examples of trees native to this highly endangered South American rainforest .

Reserva Ecologica Fulkaxo
Annual Report

If you click on the image, you will be able to read a full report we commissioned, with data on the extent to which the land has been denuded and degraded, and the extent to which this highly threatened section of the Atlantic Forest can be regenerated.

The report contains a detailed survey of native trees and plants as well as a hydrological survey.

Please donate to Guardians Worldwide. Your contributions will go toward the purchase and reforestation of Cadoz Estate and the maintenance of Reserva Ecologica Fulkaxo.

Tawana Cruz and his family building a monitoring station in Pacatuba Estate/ Reserva Ecologica Fulkaxo. The station is helping members of the Fulkaxo community protect their forest from encroaching loggers and to stop wildfires in the area, as well as preserve seven water springs found within the estate.

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As part of our work at Guardians Worldwide, we are supporting the recovery of the aricuri / ouricuri palm (Syagrus coronata) — a species deeply sacred to the Fulkaxô people of Northeastern Brazil. This palm lies at the heart of the Fulkaxô “Ouricuri ritual”, a seclusion ceremony that spans several weeks and plays a central role in their cultural identity, language, and spiritual life. the ritual, the village is named Ouricuri, the very name of the palm, symbolising the link between the people and the plant.

Beyond its ceremonial importance, the aricuri palm has served for generations as material culture for the Fulni-ô: its leaves are used for crafts, its seeds for food and oil, and its trunks for construction.

Today, we are working alongside local Fulni-ô artisans, guardians and land stewards to restore aricuri populations in territory-based programmes. These efforts include establishing nursery propagation of aricuri seedlings, mapping and protecting traditional groves, training community-members in sustainable harvesting and stewardship practices, and integrating the palm’s cultural teaching into our land-governance models. By reviving this sacred species the project strengthens ecological resilience, cultural continuity and economic opportunity for the Fulni-ô communities.

Through this initiative, the “Guardians of Pacatuba” not only restore a key species, but also help safeguard a living tradition and reinforce community leadership in land and water stewardship.

GUARDIANS OF PACATUBA PROGRAMME

What we have achieved so far:

Built a greenhouse for the housing and protection of native saplings (see pic)

Created a community seed bank, to grow 5 species of native tree

Coppiced and pruned large areas of Reserva Indigena Fulkaxo to get rid of dry branches and stimulate regrowth

Potted around 170 native trees from seed (see pic)

Planted 200 established trees in a reforestation area of the Reserve

Engaged and given financial remuneration to around 60 members of the community who have been working hard, including youth and elderly members.

Supported indigenous governance by leveraging support from private donors and government.

Given technical support for a water plan to diversify water conservancy in the reserve.