What Associação Caatinga does

Associação Caatinga is a Brazilian non-profit civil society organization founded in 1998, headquartered in Fortaleza with operational base in Crateús, Ceará, dedicated to conserving the Caatinga biome — Brazil's only exclusively Brazilian ecosystem. The organization manages the 6,285-hectare Reserva Natural Serra das Almas, the largest Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) in Ceará and a UNESCO-recognized Advanced Post of the Caatinga Biosphere Reserve. It supports 34 of Ceará's 47 RPPNs, deploys proprietary semi-arid-adapted social technologies (rainwater cisterns, banana septic tanks, solar ovens, efficient stoves, graywater filtration, native stingless bee keeping), and runs an innovative extended-root seedling technique that raises native plant survival rates from 30% to 70%. Its flagship program, 'No Clima da Caatinga' (launched 2011 with Petrobras), combines climate adaptation, community development, and forest restoration across approximately 40 rural communities (~4,000 families), while newer initiatives include the Refaunar Arvorar bird reintroduction project and the Fazenda Raposa environmental recovery.

The organization's portfolio spans conservation unit management, ecosystem restoration, environmental education, scientific research support, public policy advocacy, and corporate ESG/sustainability partnerships. Revenue is generated through project-based grants from international and Brazilian development institutions (GEF Terrestre, Inter-American Development Bank, BNDES, FUNBIO, MMA), corporate sponsorships (Petrobras, The Coca-Cola Foundation, M. Dias Branco, White Martins, SC Johnson), and the 'Adote a Reserva' (Adopt the Reserve) donation/adoption program. The go-to-market is hybrid: community-led field implementation with rural communities and landowners, supplemented by event-driven corporate adoption programs and policy engagement with state and federal agencies (ICMBio, IBAMA, SEMA). Forward monetization is expected via Ceará's newly sanctioned Payments for Environmental Services (PSA) framework and a developing FSC Brasil forest certification dialogue.

Associação Caatinga functions as an integrated conservation-and-community-development platform anchored by physical reserves, a 26-year operational track record, 50+ documented scientific studies, and a network of corporate, governmental, and multilateral partners — with a small 14-person staff executing across multiple programs and geographies.

Name

Associação Caatinga

Legal name

Associação Caatinga

Website

https://acaatinga.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Associação Caatinga is a Brazilian non-profit founded in 1998 that conserves the Caatinga biome by managing the 6,285-hectare Serra das Almas reserve, supporting 34 of Ceará's 47 RPPNs, deploying semi-arid-adapted social technologies, and serving 40 rural communities through corporate- and institutionally-funded conservation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (11321)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Native Species & Restoration Plant Nurseries (AFAMADAF), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)

Keywords

• Biodiversity conservation services
• Environmental education programs
• Forest restoration services
• Sustainable agriculture technologies
• Wildlife reintroduction programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Fortaleza

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorship: Major companies sponsor specific conservation projects and programs, such as Petrobras Socioambiental Program funding the 'No Clima da Caatinga' project, The Coca-Cola Foundation supporting Fazenda Raposa restoration, and M. Dias Branco adopting portions of Serra das Almas reserve.
2. Institutional Funding: Funding from international organizations and government agencies including GEF (Global Environment Facility), BID (Inter-American Development Bank), BNDES, FUNBIO, and Ministry of Environment for specific conservation and biodiversity projects.
3. Donations and Adoptions: Individual and corporate donations through campaigns like 'Adote a Reserva' (Adopt the Reserve) where companies and individuals can adopt hectares of protected areas.
4. Payments for Environmental Services (PSA): Future revenue throughPayments for Environmental Services as Ceará's state law provides compensation for landowners providing environmental services like forest protection and spring protection.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Associação Caatinga conserves Brazil's Caatinga biome primarily through management of the 6,285-hectare Reserva Natural Serra das Almas (RNSA), the largest Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) in Ceará. It delivers an integrated portfolio of services including the 'No Clima da Caatinga' climate adaptation project, the 'Refaunar Arvorar' threatened-bird reintroduction program, forest restoration, distribution of social technologies (rainwater cisterns, bioséptic systems, efficient stoves, solar ovens, greywater filtration, native bee keeping), environmental education programs, technical support for creating and managing RPPNs, and hosted scientific research for universities and conservation partners.

Product overview

Associação Caatinga operates as an integrated conservation organization offering multiple interconnected programs: the core is the Reserva Natural Serra das Almas (6,285 hectares private reserve), supplemented by the 'No Clima da Caatinga' climate project and 'Refaunar Arvorar' wildlife reintroduction initiative. The organization provides social technologies (sanitation, cooking, water harvesting), forest restoration services, environmental education programs, RPPN creation/management support, and research facilitation. The portfolio functions as a unified model combining biodiversity conservation, community development, and sustainable land management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reserva Natural Serra das Almas (RNSA) The largest private conservation reserve (RPPN) in Ceará, spanning 6,285 hectares between Crateús (CE) and Buriti dos Montes (PI). Recognized by UNESCO as the first Advanced Post of the Caatinga Biosphere Reserve, it protects biodiversity and provides ecosystem services.
• No Clima da Caatinga Environmental project developed at the Serra das Almas reserve since 2011, funded by Petrobras Socioambiental Program, focused on mitigating global warming effects, supporting rural community climate adaptation and conserving the Caatinga biome.
• Refaunar Arvorar Project in partnership with Aquasis, Beach Park and Parque Arvorar aimed at repopulating Ceará with native threatened bird species, starting with the periquito-cara-suja (Pyrrhura griseipectus) and jandaia-verdadeira (Aratinga jandaya).
• Social Technologies (Tecnologias Sociais) Collection of sustainable technologies for semi-arid living including Canteiro Bioséptico (banana trench sewage treatment), Cisterna de Placas (rainwater harvesting), Forno Solar (solar cooking), Sistema Bioágua (greywater filtration), Fogão Ecoeficiente (efficient stove) and Meliponicultura (stingless bee keeping), distributed and trained to rural communities.
• Forest Restoration (Restauração Florestal) Forest restoration services implementing techniques to increase native plant survival rates in Caatinga conditions, including innovative root elongation methods using PVC pipes that increase survival rates from 30% to 70%.
• Environmental Education (Educação Ambiental) Environmental education programs including 'Meu Caderno Caatingueiro' activity books, '#SomosAFloresta' game, early childhood development materials and mobile exhibitions for schools and communities.
• RPPN Support and Creation Technical support for creating and managing Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs), including legal processes, management plans and financial sustainability planning for private conservation areas.
• Research Support (Pesquisas) Scientific research support and hosting at Serra das Almas reserve, including over 50 documented studies, theses and publications on Caatinga biodiversity conducted with university partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Carbon sequestration: 1,647,245 tonnes CO₂ stored in Serra das Almas
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• FSC Brasil (Forest Stewardship Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2025International forest certification council in dialogue with Association for forest certification and sociobiodiversity product valuation. Includes technical exchange on sustainable forest management and ecosystem service certification for Serra das Almas.
• AquasiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2024Aquatic Ecosystem Research and Preservation association partners on Refaunar Arvorar project for reintroduction of endangered birds including periquito-cara-suja in Serra das Almas.
• White MartinsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 May 2023Pioneer industrial gas company supporting Fazenda Raposa reforestation project, contributing 6,250 native seedlings for 10 hectares restoration.
• M. Dias BrancocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 June 2022Food company adopted 800 hectares of Serra das Almas reserve through 'Adote a Reserva' campaign. In 2019, adopted 50 hectares as pilot. Combined 850 hectares sequesters 2,960 tonnes CO₂ annually.
• DurametalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 June 2022Automotive parts company partnered for Fazenda Raposa restoration, planting 3,125 native seedlings on 5 hectares.
• CoBAPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 April 2022Cardboard box company supporting Fazenda Raposa reforestation with 3,125 native seedlings for 5 hectares.
• PetrobrasflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary sponsor of the 'No Clima da Caatinga' project through the Petrobras Socioambiental Program since 2011. This is the organization's flagship project addressing climate change adaptation in the Caatinga through integrated conservation and community development.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational conservation organization partner supporting Association's conservation work in the Caatinga biome.
• SC JohnsonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Association's environmental initiatives.
• Solar Coca-ColaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage company co-sponsor of Fazenda Raposa recovery project.
• FUNBIOcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBrazilian Fund for Biodiversity acts as executing agency for GEF Terrestre project supporting Association's conservation initiatives.
• Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudança do Clima (MMA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinistry of Environment coordinates GEF Terrestre project and national conservation policies including RPPN framework.
• Federação das Indústrias do Estado do Ceará (FIEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState industrial federation supporting Fazenda Raposa project through partnership.
• Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity owns Fazenda Raposa property and partners in tripartite management with SEMA and Maracanaú municipality.
• Secretaria do Meio Ambiente do Ceará (Sema)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState environmental secretariat co-manages Fazenda Raposa and supports conservation initiatives.
• Prefeitura de MaracanaúminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government co-manages Fazenda Raposa conservation area.
• Prefeitura de MaracanaúminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government supports Fazenda Raposa project through partnership.
• Beach Park / Parque ArvorarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntertainment complex and immersive park partner in Refaunar Arvorar project, hosting Arvorar immersive experience focused on bird conservation and environmental education.
• ONU MulheresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Women partnered on gender and environmental initiatives.
• Fundação Oswaldo CruzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiocruz health research foundation partnered on health-related environmental projects.
• SEBRAEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSmall business development agency supported local development initiatives.
• ICMBiocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation is federal agency overseeing RPPN system and conservation units, partnered on RPPN creation and SIMRPPN system launch.
• IBAMAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFederal environmental agency partnered on enforcement and wildlife protection including periquito-cara-suja seizure operations.
• Embry-RiddleminorOthersEducational institutions including Embry-Riddle participated in research activities.
• UFC, UECE, UFRN, UVA, UFERSacoreOthersPartnerships with multiple Brazilian universities for research, student projects, and academic collaboration on Caatinga conservation.
• Rede Pró-UCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit network mobilizing society for Conservation Units in Brazil since 1998, co-organizer of UCBIO 2026 conference.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aquasis: Aquasis is a Northeast Brazil conservation NGO that is already a direct partner of Associação Caatinga on the Refaunar Arvorar bird reintroduction project. Its focus on endangered species recovery in the Caatinga and Ceará makes it the closest regional peer.
• WWF-Brasil: WWF-Brasil is a major Brazilian conservation NGO operating across multiple biomes including the Caatinga. It shares Associação Caatinga's model of combining biodiversity conservation with community development and corporate partnerships, making it a direct functional peer in the Brazilian nonprofit conservation space.
• IPÊ - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas: IPÊ is a Brazilian conservation research NGO combining scientific research, environmental education, and community-based conservation, closely matching Associação Caatinga's model of using research to underpin restoration and education programs in threatened ecosystems.
• Instituto Socioambiental (ISA): ISA is one of Brazil's largest indigenous- and biodiversity-focused NGOs, combining research, advocacy, and protected area management. It mirrors Associação Caatinga's blend of conservation science, policy advocacy, and community-based programs targeting Brazilian biomes.
• Conservation International - Brasil: Conservation International operates in Brazil with a focus on biodiversity hotspots and community-based conservation, closely paralleling Associação Caatinga's integrated model of protecting ecosystems while supporting rural livelihoods in threatened biomes.
• The Nature Conservancy (Brasil): TNC is an existing partner of Associação Caatinga and operates globally with a Brasil office focused on landscape conservation and natural climate solutions. Its work on protected area management, restoration, and corporate engagement makes it a directly comparable peer in both mission and operating model.
• Fundação Biodiversitas: Fundação Biodiversitas is a Brazilian conservation NGO focused on threatened species and ecosystem restoration, with established programs in Minas Gerais and beyond. It shares Associação Caatinga's focus on biodiversity inventories, endangered species protection, and reserve management.

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society: WCS is a global conservation NGO operating field programs across multiple continents including Brazil. Its focus on protected area management, species conservation, and community-based stewardship overlaps substantially with Associação Caatinga's mandate.
• Fauna & Flora International: FFI is a global conservation NGO with species- and landscape-level programs in Latin America. While operating at a much larger international scale, it is comparable in its nonprofit, project-based conservation model and corporate partnership structure.

Emerging players

• Rare: Rare is a global conservation NGO that uses behavioral science and social marketing to drive community-led conservation. It shares Associação Caatinga's emphasis on community engagement, environmental education, and behavior change as conservation tools, though it operates at a larger international scale.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/acaatinga
• Facebookfacebook.com/associacaocaatinga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acaatinga
• Instagraminstagram.com/acaatinga

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Associação Caatinga