This is the result of a lot of willpower and the determination of those who planted their own forest.

Her name is Mariza Rocha. A public school teacher in the municipality of Munhoz/MG and a great fighter, Mariza is a partner in the largest forest restoration project in the southern region of Minas and the east of the state of São Paulo, Verde Novo – a project sponsored by Petrobras, through the Petrobras Socio-environmental Program, which is carried out by the Copaíba Environmentalist Association.

Verde Novo supports landowners who are interested in restoring the forests on their properties and it was through this support that Mariza was able to have her spring water restored.

The property was acquired many years ago, in the 70's, and as time went by Mariza noticed that the amount of water was getting smaller and smaller. “Water has reduced to well less than half. It was very visible how much the water had receded. It was then that we decided to implement the project on the site”, comments Mariza, remembering the difficulties faced with the lack of water.

After the area was recovered, with the planting of 1000 seedlings around the spring, the water returned. “Springs that had dried up, we noticed that they were coming back. The preservation of existing forests or the formation of new forests is of paramount importance, for the preservation of species to avoid erosion, for the increase of water", says Mariza, satisfied with the choice made and even gives a message: "Each owner, no matter how small your property, you can build a new forest or preserve what you already have. It's the best feeling in the world. I did my part! Everyone should do it”.

Do your part too, want to know how? access www.copaiba.org.br/verdenovo/ or call (19) 9 9953-8382.