Field update from Borba, Amazonas, Brazil, where Go Balance continues to support environmental education, wildfire prevention and community resilience through the Trocano Araretama REDD+ Project.
Throughout July 2026, the Projeto Trocano Araretama carried out an extensive environmental awareness campaign to help prevent and combat wildfires across rural communities in the Municipality of Borba, Amazonas.
Developed by Ir Equilíbrio, the Trocano Araretama Project continues to demonstrate that successful REDD+ initiatives are built not only on protecting forests, but also on working alongside local communities to strengthen environmental awareness, encourage sustainable practices and support long-term resilience.
Through educational preparation, household visits and direct engagement with residents, the July campaign provided practical information about the causes and consequences of wildfires, the responsible use of fire and the actions that communities can take to protect public health, biodiversity and the surrounding environment.
Wildfires represent one of the most significant environmental and social challenges across the Amazon region. In addition to damaging forests and natural habitats, uncontrolled fires degrade soils, reduce biodiversity, threaten wildlife and significantly impair air quality. Smoke exposure can also create serious health risks, particularly for children, older people and those living with respiratory conditions.
For these reasons, prevention, education and community participation remain central to reducing both the incidence and long-term impact of wildfires.
Building on Previous Wildfire Prevention Efforts
This campaign also builds on the Trocano Araretama Project’s earlier forest fire prevention initiative, expanding the Project’s continuing programme of environmental education and community engagement across Borba. It complements other wildfire resilience initiatives delivered through the Project, including the training of Borba’s first volunteer fire brigade, helping to strengthen both wildfire prevention and local emergency response capacity. By returning to communities with updated guidance and direct household visits, the Project reinforces the importance of ongoing awareness as one of the most effective tools for reducing wildfire risks.
Preparing an Effective Community Campaign
The campaign began with detailed technical and logistical preparation by the Trocano Araretama Project’s on-the-ground team.
Current environmental resources, specialist scientific publications and technical guidance were reviewed to support the preparation of educational materials covering wildfire prevention, environmental health, water conservation and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Presentations and supporting information leaflets were developed in a clear and accessible format to help residents better understand the environmental, social and public health issues associated with uncontrolled burning. Printed materials were also prepared to ensure educational activities could continue effectively in communities where access to electricity or digital presentation equipment may be limited.
Alongside the educational resources, the team organised attendance records, image authorisation forms, community support documentation and campaign leaflets ahead of the field programme. This preparation helps ensure that activities are delivered consistently, transparently and in accordance with the Project’s established operating procedures.
Building Community Resilience Through Partnership
An important feature of the campaign was its emphasis on direct engagement with residents.
Rather than relying solely on public meetings or general awareness campaigns, the Trocano Araretama Project focused on personal conversations within each community. This approach allows information to be adapted to local circumstances while encouraging open discussion about the practical challenges residents face during the Amazon dry season.
Working directly with community members also strengthens trust and encourages long-term collaboration. Wildfire prevention is most effective when local knowledge is combined with practical environmental guidance, enabling communities themselves to become active participants in protecting the forests and natural resources on which they depend.
Taking Wildfire Prevention Guidance Directly to Residents
Field activities began on 21 July along the Borba–Mapiá Road, covering households located between kilometres 24 and 1.
Rather than relying solely on a central community meeting, the technical team conducted individual household visits. This approach allowed residents to receive guidance directly, ask questions and discuss practices relevant to their own properties and daily activities.
During the visits, the team explained:
- the principal causes of wildfires;
- the risks associated with uncontrolled and unauthorised burning;
- the effects of fire and smoke on human health;
- the consequences for wildlife, vegetation, soils and air quality;
- preventive measures that can reduce the risk of fire; and
- the legal responsibilities associated with the use of fire.
Educational leaflets were distributed to reinforce the information provided and to give households a practical reference that could be retained and shared with family members and neighbours.
The discussions emphasised that, although fires may occasionally arise from natural causes, many wildfire incidents are linked to human activity. Everyday decisions surrounding the use of fire therefore play a critical role in either increasing or reducing risks to neighbouring households, communities and surrounding forest areas.
Continuing the Campaign Along the Jatuarana Branch
On 22 July, the campaign continued along the Jatuarana Branch, where further household visits were undertaken.
Particular attention was given to the health consequences of wildfire smoke. Residents received information about the effects of smoke on the respiratory system, the deterioration of air quality and the increased risks faced by vulnerable members of the community.
The team also discussed the broader environmental consequences of uncontrolled fire, including soil degradation, biodiversity loss, damage to vegetation and increased atmospheric pollution.
Guidance was provided on preventive practices and the safe management of fire, in accordance with recommendations issued by the relevant environmental authorities. The objective was not only to communicate the risks, but also to provide residents with practical knowledge that can help prevent fires from escaping control.
Although some households could not be reached because residents were absent during the visits, the door-to-door approach enabled meaningful conversations with those who were available while laying the foundations for continued awareness activities in the future.
Engaging the Community in Axinim
On 29 July, the Trocano Araretama Project extended the Fire Awareness and Prevention Campaign to residents of the Axinim District.
The technical team again carried out household visits, providing guidance on the environmental, social and health impacts of wildfires. Discussions covered the risks associated with the indiscriminate use of fire, preventive measures and the individual and collective responsibilities involved in protecting the environment.
Residents also received information on the procedures to follow should a fire occur and the appropriate channels through which incidents can be reported to the relevant authorities.
By bringing the campaign directly into the community, the Project encouraged open dialogue while reinforcing the message that wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility requiring the participation of everyone.
Why Environmental Education Matters
The conservation of the Amazon depends not only on large-scale environmental programmes, but also on informed decisions made within communities every day.
Environmental education provides residents with the knowledge needed to recognise risks, adopt safer practices and participate actively in protecting the natural resources on which their communities depend. Rather than simply distributing information, campaigns such as this help build local capacity, enabling communities to identify hazards early, reduce wildfire risks and support one another during periods of increased environmental vulnerability.
This approach reflects the broader objectives of the Trocano Araretama Project, where education, community participation and practical environmental action work together to support long-term conservation outcomes.
A Continuing Commitment to Wildfire Prevention
As the Amazon dry season progresses, initiatives like this help equip communities with the knowledge and confidence to reduce wildfire risks before they occur.
By working directly with residents along the Borba–Mapiá Road, the Jatuarana Branch and in the Axinim District, the Trocano Araretama Project continues to demonstrate that effective REDD+ implementation extends well beyond forest conservation alone. Long-term success depends upon informed communities, trusted local partnerships and shared responsibility for protecting the forests, biodiversity and natural resources of Borba.
Through a continuing programme of environmental education, wildfire awareness campaigns and practical community engagement, Go Balance and the Trocano Araretama Project remain committed to supporting sustainable development while helping safeguard both people and the Amazon for future generations.
The Trocano Araretama Project is a REDD+ initiative located in Borba, Amazonas, Brazil. Developed by Go Balance as part of a long-term commitment to forest conservation, community engagement, and sustainable development.
