Restoration Progress in Maranhão, Brazil
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March 25, 2026
In Maranhão, Brazil, restoration efforts led by our local partner SamaÚma are restoring mangrove and terrestrial ecosystems, increasing biodiversity, and creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities.
SamaÚma is the implementing partner responsible for on-the-ground restoration, while veritree supports project design, monitoring, and verification.
On our most recent visit to the region, the veritree team traveled to Primera Cruz to connect with our planting partner, SamaÚma, and to see firsthand how restoration efforts are progressing on the ground.
This trip had several important objectives. First and foremost, it was an opportunity to build and maintain our relationship with SamaÚma, whose leadership and local expertise continue to drive restoration success in the region.
We also introduced a new version of the veritree app, now available in Portuguese. During our time on site, we conducted hands-on app training and testing.
Beyond training, we reviewed the current monitoring processes, particularly how survivability monitoring tasks are tracked within the app. Survivability monitoring is essential to long-term restoration success, and this visit allowed us to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
To ensure accuracy, we cross-checked the data entered into the app with on-the-ground observations. We assessed planting density and overall survival rates, validating digital records against real site conditions. This kind of verification strengthens confidence in the data and ensures transparency across the restoration lifecycle.
During site visits, we collected updated drone imagery to document progress and better understand site conditions at scale.
One of the most insightful aspects of the visit was observing how SamaÚma approaches adaptive restoration.
When mangrove plantings do not succeed, the team evaluates site conditions to understand why and adjusts future planting strategies accordingly. This may include revisiting timing, hydrological conditions, or planting techniques.
Timing plays a particularly important role. Mangroves are typically planted during high tide and the rainy season to improve survival rates. These environmental considerations are central to increasing long-term success and reflect the team’s deep understanding of local conditions.
Maranhão is one of Brazil’s poorest states, facing significant socio-economic challenges, particularly in rural areas. This project was developed in partnership with SamaÚma with the goal of supporting stable employment and strengthening long-term community resilience.
Today, SamaÚma is the largest employer in Primera Cruz. Prior to the project, many individuals relied on informal or seasonal work with little income stability. Through restoration activities, workers now have access to formal employment, providing more predictable income and greater ability to plan for the future. For many, this stability has supported meaningful life improvements, including home repairs and long-term financial planning.
SamaÚma also provides additional support through benefits such as paid vacation and food assistance equivalents, as well as workshops focused on financial literacy and household management.
This economic stability is closely connected to ecological restoration. As ecosystems recover, the broader environment begins to respond. Staff have reported noticing increased wildlife presence, particularly birds, around restoration sites. Community members are acutely aware of sea-level rise and understand the role mangroves play in protecting coastlines and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
The work in Maranhão reflects what is possible when restoration is grounded in local expertise and supported by transparent systems. By combining SamaÚma’s leadership in ecosystem restoration with veritree’s monitoring and verification technology, the project demonstrates how ecological outcomes and community impact can be measured, validated, and continuously improved over time.
Join us in supporting verified ecosystem restoration and resilient communities. Together, we can scale high-integrity restoration efforts, strengthen local economies, and invest in ecosystems that protect coastlines and livelihoods for generations to come: https://www.veritree.com/contact
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