Regenerative Schools

OUR FOREST IN NUMBERS

145 TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED BY OUR STUDENTS

1.500 TREES PLANTED IS OUR GOAL

FOREST LOCATION

ABOUT PLANTING

HOW WE DO

THE RESTORATION

To restore a degraded area in the Amazon, or in practically any other biome, it is essential to have an ecosystem of partners dedicated to making the initial restoration process viable through the planting of diverse trees. This ecosystem includes seed networks with local collectors who work collecting seeds from the forest, nurseries specializing in the production of seedlings of different species and farmers who establish partnerships with us to restore their Permanent Preservation Area (APP) areas or even for the creation of agroforestry systems. Each part of this ecosystem plays a fundamental role in environmental restoration, and it is this collaboration that allows us to advance in the recovery of degraded ecosystems.

Seedling production

Native seedlings are not produced with special attention. Starting by collecting seeds from hundreds of trees native to the region. Then these seeds are processed and selected to ensure quality and genetic diversity. In the nurseries, the seedlings are grown under control, resulting in robust seedlings that make restoration more effective.

Restoration project

The restoration project begins with the identification of farmers interested in recovering APP areas or creating agroforests. Our technicians visit the areas, collect soil samples and carry out a detailed survey, including planting areas. This helps you understand the needs of each location and choose the appropriate tree species.

Planting

Planting begins with the start of the rains in Rondônia, generally at the end of November. First, we fence the area and prepare the holes for planting seedlings and seeds. We fertilize the soil according to the analysis and use hydrogel to reduce losses. Planting is done in a collective effort, with beneficiaries and local helpers.

Maintenance and monitoring

During maintenance, we remove grass with brush cutters and control ants. In the first year, we replant seedlings that have not adapted to the new location (from the nursery to the degraded area) and install monitoring cameras, when necessary.

HOW WE

MONITORING

In the maintenance phase, we implement several measures to ensure the success of the project.

We use mowers to control grass growth, we adopt ant control strategies, we carry out replanting when necessary to replace seedlings that have not adapted to the new location (from the nursery to the degraded area) and we install fauna monitoring cameras, allowing us to monitor the animals that already frequent or will begin to inhabit the new area. In addition, we maintain continuous monitoring, both via satellite and in person, for a minimum period of three years. We will continue to monitor as long as these observation channels are operational, as we continue to expand our forest.

*Images of the monitoring and maintenance of Meu Pé de Árvore in 2022

HOW WE DO

Planting trees

Planting will take place in Rondônia, in l12 Km 22 Gleba 08B Lot 16 in the Municipality of Ouro Preto do Oeste, State of Rondônia.

The seedlings will begin to be planted in November with the start of the rains in the Amazon region and will be completed by December 2023.

First, we fenced the area and prepared holes for planting seedlings and seeds. In some situations, we also plant "green manures", such as legumes, which help to recover the soil and suppress grass growth more quickly. Our choice of fertilizers is based on soil analysis, and we incorporate hydrogel to minimize water losses. Planting is a joint collaboration, involving beneficiaries and hiring local helpers to ensure the success of this essential stage of the project. Below, you can view photos of the entire process, from seed collection to planting.

AT GRADED, YOUR CHILD LEARNS AND LIVES SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability at Graded is woven throughout the curriculum, giving students authentic opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world challenges.

In pre-kindergarten, children observe the life cycle of a seed, fostering early awareness of nature and care for the environment. First graders explore animal habitats through nonfiction writing, while lower school STEM students apply design thinking to learn about and help determine the placement of a campus biodigester.

Students in middle school science classes investigate local climate issues in Brazil, including gold mining pollution, plastics in the oceans, and animal trafficking in the Mata Atlântica. Design & technology students take on hands-on, socially relevant projects anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and high school students may enroll in IB Environmental Systems and Societies, an interdisciplinary course on global environmental issues and solutions.

Across PK–12, sustainability serves as a lens for inquiry and problem-solving, preparing students to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

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