Aqua-Firma usually addresses carbon dioxide impacts from travel via rainforest projects; but one of the environments most at threat of significant fire damage and CO2 release is the Pantanal in Brazil. It is within the Pantanal that this Rainforest4Climate project is situated.
The Pantanal is an ecosystem made up of a of open grassland and a patchwork of woodland. Grasslands tend to flood during the wet season, with dense woodland occupying higher ground which escapes the annual deluge.
Most of the Pantanal is farmland, with cattle so widely dispersed that much of the habitat remains intact and wildlife is able to thrive alongside. The density of jaguars is often plain to see - the Pantanal is a great place to try to see them. Other animals often seen in parts of the Pantanal include Giant Anteaters, Giant River Otters, huge Capybara rodents and the largest species of parrot: the Hyacinth Macaw.
In recent years, annual cycles in weather have seen periodic anomalies. In some areas such as Taquari, unexpectedly widespread floods in recent years have meant that local farmers were forced to abandon their fazendas. Nature has since flourished, leading to a plan to create a Taquari Wetlands State Park, setting land aside for a complete rewild, whilst compensating farmers for the land they give up. The total scale targeted is 326,179 acres, of which Aqua-Firma has provided 25% seed funding for a 624-acre parcel of this.
It is not just the wildlife content of this land which has drawn our support, but the need to protect it from burning. Periodic extended droughts are becoming a new reality of climate change in the Pantanal, with fires started by farmers to create green shoots of pasture, often spreading out of control. Habitat is destroyed and vast numbers of animals perish in smoke and flames. Tree dwellers like Black Howler Monkeys are unable to move between islands of forest and perish when their isolated home becomes engulfed in flames.
A 624-acre parcel in the project area contains a calculated average of 71,837 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (source: Rainforest Trust). Part of our donation will go into a trust investment designed to fund firefighting teams long into the future.
Aqua-Firma's funds will be overseen by the charity Rainforest Trust, whom we have been supporting since 2017. On the ground, the project is managed by the Brazilian NGO Onçafari and Matto Grosso State Government.
To learn more about the project and experience the Pantanal and its wildlife for yourself, join Aqua-Firma director and photographer, Ralph Pannell, on a Pantanal Wildlife Cruises, Crystal River & Atlantic Coast trip 11-24 June, 2026. Ralph Pannell worked for 5 years at another of our NGO partners, Rainforest Concern, on projects from Brazil to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Panama, Sri Lanka and Costa Rica.
Pantanal Wildlife Cruises, Crystal River & Atlantic Coast
Brazil
£5,490North to South Pantanal, Bonito, Rio, Paraty, Atlantic Rainforest & Islands
US$6,990
(14 days Nov - July season)
11 - 24 Jun, 2026 hosted by Aqua-Firma photographer, Ralph Pannell, formerly of Rainforest ConcernView detailsEnquire / Book
