"Pantanal Forever" - WWF Brazil

Vision for the Pantanal

WWF-Brazil's work in the Pantanal is based on a vision of:

"Maintaining biological diversity and ecological processes in the Pantanal, while providing sustainable development opportunities for the region, and an example for wise use of wetlands world-wide".

All Brazilians know Amazonia...
In a 2001 survey carried out by WWF-Brazil, it was discovered that many of the people who actually live in the Pantanal don't know how unique and important their own region is.

This is very interesting. If you ask Brazilian people - everybody knows about the Amazon forest. Even if you ask someone in the middle of the city of Sao Paulo or on a farm in the middle of the Pantanal, everybody knows that the Amazonia is important. But the Pantanal is not so well known.

Consequently WWF's job is to put into the heart and mind of the local people that the Pantanal is really important, because this is a beautiful area with great biodiversity.

What is Pantanal Forever?
Since 1999, WWF has been directly involved in preserving the Brazilian Pantanal. Under the umbrella initiative "Pantanal Forever", several projects are thriving. The Programme is made up of projects that involve scientific studies, training, environmental education, field studies, communication and public policy, amongst other initiatives.

One major part of the programme, for instance, is concerned with environmental education - showing the importance of conservation in the region to local farmers and school children.

We try to explain that it's important to keep the Pantanal as one eco-region, one unit - not lots of small areas that disrupt the ecosystem. Together with landowners and the private sector we support and promote alternative use of the land like ecotourism and 'organic cattle ranching'. We contribute in developing local capacity to carry out environmentally friendly tourism operation.

Another activity is the publication of a field guide on the birds of the Pantanal and scientific collection of data on the biodiversity." The Pantanal Forever programme was developed with the two Brazilian states, local municipal governments, universities, NGOs and landowners sharing in the formulation of a sustainable development model for the Pantanal.

Proud of the Pantanal
One way, WWF is trying to raise pride with the inhabitants of the Pantanal is by using the media and working with the local states to let people know why the Pantanal is such a globally important area.

The Plan
The WWF Brazil Strategic Action Plan proposes the establishment of a network of protected areas, alternatives to unsustainable developments, and a series of capacity building activities. It also defines a whole range of specific projects.