Varre-Sai · Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
Serras Verdes mobilizes resources and technical expertise to restore non-productive land adjacent to remnants of the Atlantic Forest, contributing to biodiversity conservation, ecological connectivity, and the strengthening of local communities.
Our Mission
Serras Verdes is a nonprofit organization committed to mobilizing funds and delivering specialized restoration and conservation services in the Atlantic Forest of Northwestern Rio de Janeiro State.
We aim to reintegrate and restore forest ecosystems while simultaneously establishing sustainable economic activities that benefit local families.
With vast expanses of non-productive land adjacent to existing forest remnants, we see enormous potential to reconnect fragmented patches of the Atlantic Forest across different territories.
Ecological and productive restoration · Economic revitalization · Community resilience · Biodiversity and aquifer conservation
Planting native Atlantic Forest species to restore biodiversity corridors.
Supporting farmers with the implementation of agroforestry systems that generate income while protecting nature.
Working in partnership with landholders and communities to build lasting commitments to conservation, socio-environmental restoration, and the sustainable economic development of the territory.
Through targeted reforestation, we restore and protect the springs that supply the region — securing clean water in the quantity and quality every community needs.
The Atlantic Forest
The Atlantic Forest once stretched along Brazil's entire coast and inland into Argentina and Paraguay. Today, only 13% remains — yet it still shelters over 20,000 plant species and 2,200 vertebrates, many found nowhere else on Earth.
Green areas: Remaining fragments of the Atlantic Forest
Yellow areas: Original extent of the forest
Source: SOS Mata Atlântica / INPE, 2015
Home to thousands of endemic species — plants, mammals, birds, amphibians — found nowhere else. Their loss would be irreversible.
The forest sequesters carbon, protects soils and watersheds, and ensures clean water for millions of Brazilians.
Non-productive areas adjacent to existing forest fragments offer a unique opportunity: with the right support, the forest can come back.
Brazilian law mandates protection of riverbanks, springs, and slopes. Serras Verdes helps landholders comply — and go further.
The Region
A highland municipality in northwestern Rio de Janeiro, where cool climate, rolling hills, and a deep agricultural tradition define a unique and resilient community.
With 11,000 residents evenly split between urban and rural areas, Varre-Sai is a close-knit community with deep cultural roots, local festivals, and shared agricultural traditions passed through generations.
Coffee cultivation forms the backbone of the local economy, complemented by cattle raising, diverse crop production, and artisanal goods. Ensuring long-term resilience requires diversification and sustainable practices.
Situated in the Atlantic Forest biome, the region carries the legacy of deforestation but boasts a wealth of biodiversity, with a diverse range of endemic species and critical ecosystems.
Get Involved
Whether you want to donate, partner, or learn more about our work — we'd love to hear from you.