Lead institution: Instituto Ekos Brasil

The project seeks to advance Integrated Fire Management (IFM) through targeted actions that directly support managers and communities within and around the Veredas do Peruaçu State Park, the Veredas do Acari State Sustainable Development Reserve, and the Peruaçu Caves Environmental Protection Area, while also indirectly benefiting the Peruaçu Caves National Park. Together, these protected areas are part of the Grande Sertão Veredas–Peruaçu Mosaic and play a vital role in conserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

The Mosaic encompasses a diverse array of Cerrado phytophysiognomies, including veredas (palm swamps), typical and open Cerrado, and cerradão, along with rich wildlife, monumental cave systems, archaeological sites, and the region’s distinctive sertanejo culture. These assets, however, are under growing pressure from water scarcity, unplanned use of natural resources, biodiversity loss, and, above all, deforestation driven by wildfires. Such fires arise from both natural causes and human activities, including land clearing for agriculture and livestock production. In this context, Instituto Ekos Brasil proposes, through this project, to strengthen IFM actions to support protected areas in conserving local biodiversity while delivering broader socio-environmental benefits.

Planned activities include:

1. Infrastructure strengthening: Acquisition of equipment and improvement of facilities and systems for wildfire prevention, monitoring, and response.

2. Capacity building: Training of management teams and firefighters to improve fire management practices and wildfire suppression capabilities.

3. Community engagement and awareness: Participatory assessments to document traditional fire-use practices among local communities, combined with the development of prevention-oriented materials that position communities as essential partners in biodiversity conservation.

4. Development of a Participatory Action Plan: Co-design of a shared strategy with communities for wildfire prevention and response.

5. Strengthening the Mosaic’s protected areas: Delivery of an integrative technical seminar focused on wildfire prevention and response across the Mosaic.

With a duration of 18 months, project activities will be carried out in an integrated and parallel manner, with selected actions prioritized ahead of the region’s critical wildfire season. Close coordination with protected area managers, who maintain direct and ongoing relationships with local communities, will be essential to ensuring effective mobilization and robust participatory diagnostics.

This project is highly relevant for strengthening IFM within and around the protected areas. Notably, Veredas do Peruaçu State Park, the Peruaçu Caves Environmental Protection Area, and Peruaçu Caves National Park include areas currently undergoing ecological restoration through the Floresta Viva – Corredores da Biodiversidade Sertão Veredas Project, making fire prevention efforts especially critical to the conservation and long-term sustainability of the region. By fostering coordination and interconnection among initiatives, the project will amplify positive impacts and enhance overall effectiveness.