20 years ago a group of friends who had in common concern for the environment got together to help nature. The modest planting of 80 seedlings on the banks of the Rio do Peixe aroused the desire to do more for the Atlantic Forest in Socorro. And the desire was gaining the adhesion of new volunteers.

Some volunteers remain until today and one of them is the president of the institution, Dervino Santin “My relationship with Copaíba was from the beginning and it was love at first sight. I vividly remember a small office next to my flower shop where a group of young people were picking seeds and researching books. In one of the conversations, I volunteered to collect seeds in the places I passed. I can only thank the enthusiasm of these people who for years have dedicated themselves to this cause and for being part of this history”.

The history of the institution is part of the lives of many employees. Tiago Sartori, one of the founders of Copaíba, has always been passionate about nature, trees, the river and animals. “Copaíba was born as the materialization of this desire to make a difference in Socorro. Years passed, the founders grew and Copaíba grew together. Today I am extremely proud to see the results of this work, hundreds of hectares of forests recovered in 20 municipalities, millions of trees produced and planted, thousands of people touched by the environmental education works. It gives me great satisfaction to be part of this story of building a better world.”, comments Tiago.

The NGO's work took shape and several integrated actions in the environmental area made that group of young people build serious and important work for the region. Restoration projects and programs began to be carried out. Today, one of the founders strongly contributes to structuring the forest restoration chain within the institution. “When we founded Copaíba, I didn't expect the Institution to be a total part of my life. I practically grew up and became an adult woman along with Copaíba. Everything I am today and learned in forest restoration and seedling production are of fundamental importance to my life. I understood that nature is totally embedded in me and I in it.” comments Ana Balderi, coordinator of Viveiro Florestal Copaíba.

The institution has undergone changes, advances and major achievements. One of the milestones in the history of the institution was receiving, in 2014, a property donated by Eliane Vaz Guimarães and Eliane Silva. They got to know Copaíba through the forest restoration project, Verde Novo, which for 9 years has supported landowners in restoring their forests. Today, in this property, the dream of the donors joined the dream of the collaborators of creating a Private Reserve of Natural Heritage with the purpose of allocating the property for nature conservation. Now, Copaíba, with its own headquarters, annually produces hundreds of thousands of native Atlantic Forest seedlings and serves more than 2,000 students through environmental education work.

Among so many friends and collaborators who follow the work of the NGO, journalist Marisa Souza Pinto Fontana told how it was and is to be part of this story “As director of the newspaper O Município, I am proud to be able to record the history of Copaíba, since its foundation. It is our duty to value and encourage sustainable actions. Socorro is privileged to have people at Copaíba who are so engaged and concerned with the future of the next generations. In these two decades, our city is more beautiful, cared for and green! In addition to all reforestation, they taught thousands of children to also care about the environment. We recognize that this is not an easy task. We are grateful for each seedling, which today has become (or will become) a tree. For each area and source of recovered water. For our air!”

Through the many achievements of Copaíba, recognition for the work of so many years is what makes the current Executive Secretary of the institution, Flávia Balderi, proud. “Restoring the riparian forest on the Rio do Peixe was what moved and motivated us. The world asked us this: to care for and conserve nature. But I never imagined that Copaíba would become what it is today, an institution nationally recognized for the important work of restoring the Atlantic Forest. And this is the result of our engagement, of the dedicated team committed to the institutional purpose. I dedicate my life to the institution and, in exchange, I receive knowledge, experiences, experiences, qualifications and recognition for our important work”, comments Flávia.

Copaíba employees have plans for the future and believe in their potential. Gerson Silveira, director and founder of the institution, wanted Copaíba to grow a lot and manage to restore many areas and sensitize many people. “I think she has achieved this despite the damage the environment has been suffering. Accomplishments are very full, we see all positivity and a well geared team doing things out of conviction. We hope that in the next 20 years there will be an increase in achievements, that Copaíba will be more recognized and that people will become more aware of the need for restoration and conservation of the regional forest. Let's hope and fight for that to happen”, comments Gerson.

Today Copaíba serves more than 15 municipalities between the South of Minas and East of São Paulo, restoring areas between the Basins of the Rios do Peixe and Camanducaia. Many people were and are part of this story: volunteers, employees, counselors, friendly and collaborating companies, taxpayers, the population of Socorro and other municipalities, schools, students and many other people who believe that harmony between man and nature is possible.