Mangroves in Maranhão

Protecting coastal areas in partnership with communities

The Northeast of Brazil is home to the largest continuous stretch of mangroves in the world. These essential ecosystems sequester up to four times more carbon than any other biome, including the Amazon. Scientists estimate that between 70% and 80% of commercially valuable marine species depend on mangroves at some stage of their development.

Most people in the regions where we work depend on fishing for their livelihood. The degradation of coastal areas, mainly due to brickmaking, threatens hundreds of communities with limited employment opportunities.

In Alcântara and Primeira Cruz, we have been the largest employers in the regions during peak project activity. In total, about 100 people have directly benefited as planters, collectors, or monitoring agents.

What we have accomplished in coastal areas

4+ million

mangrove trees planted

100+

families benefited

91+

hectares planted

Learn more about our areas

SamaÚma is the only organization working on large-scale mangrove restoration in Brazil.

The propagules we planted in 2022 are growing and showing that organic planting, in partnership with communities, can have incredible results.