Once plants have been collected, they are transferred to our conservation nursery for propagation, or to our seed lab for viability testing and storage. We are seeing increased effectiveness of these methods with freshly collected seeds and cuttings making it quickly to our staff. As many of these individual plants were not previously known, these actions boost the genetic diversity of ex-situ collections, providing a safe place in the face of environmental degradation.

The Mamba tool allows us to collect plant material via seeds or cuttings from endangered species that we have identified and mapped in the previous building block. This tool has an effective range well over 1000m, making even the most inaccessible areas available for management actions. 

Drone tools have been instrumental as a first step in the assessment of cliff floras. Using drones to get unique viewpoints of these environments, we can now map the distribution and abundance of critically endangered endemic cliff species and expedite their conservation. Field surveys have been conducted in Hawaii, the Republic of Palau, and Madeira (Portugal) with extremely positive results.

Conserving ecosystems is key to curbing climate change, and maintaining ecosystem services (GBF target 11), which are closely linked to over 50% of the world’s GDP. Over 1 million species face the threat of extinction this century; however, selecting which areas to conserve is challenging with the existing data gap, which is biased towards observations in the global north. Increasing the amount of biodiversity data in the Global South is critical in the conservation of endangered species, found at high density in biodiversity hotspots in the Global South. Amphibians are ideal for acoustic identification due to their diverse vocalizations and are crucial ecosystem indicators (Estes-Zumpf et al., 2022), with over 40% of species at risk of extinction (Cañas et al., 2023). Increasing labeled data for the more than 7,000 amphibian species worldwide would enhance conservation efforts and reduce knowledge gaps in vulnerable ecosystems. By using a citizen science platform to aid in the mitigation of biodiversity loss, we help establish local environmental stewardship of these critical habitats (GBF Target 20).

Other citizen apps have shown the potential that citizen science has on mitigating biodiversity loss. eBird, the largest citizen science project related to biodiversity, has 100 million bird observations from users around the world. These observations help to "document the distribution, abundance, habitat use and bird trends through collected species list, within a simple scientific framework." (Sánchez-Clavijo et. al., 2024).  

iNaturalist, another citizen science app, that uses computer vision algorithms for species identification, has also proven successful in mitigating biodiversity loss. To date, the app has over 200,000,000 observations, with 6 million observations per month, globally. On iNaturalist, research-grade observations are shared with GBIF, which in turn uses that knowledge for policy decisions, research, and community building (GBIF, 2023). 

Currently, our app identifies 71 species of frogs and toads, worldwide. Though many of them are identified as least concern (LC) under the IUCN, we do have one IUCN endangered species, the Southern Bell Frog (Ranoidea raniformis). This lack of threatened species included, underscores the need for diverse practitioners to participate in bioacoustic ecological monitoring. Increasing data points on vulnerable species can serve to inform policy decisions using data-driven insights. Local communities and Indigenous Peoples will be a key asset in increasing the number of species included in the app, as their local knowledge allows us to track species in remote regions. 

The Biodiversity Sensitivity Map provides a spatial representation of the varying degrees of vulnerability of conservation targets to mining-related impacts. It integrates biological and ecological characteristics of species and ecosystems, along with the influence of anthropogenic pressures, to create a comprehensive sensitivity gradient—referred to as the Biodiversity Sensitivity Index.

This index ranks the entire study area into four sensitivity classes, ranging from “Extremely Sensitive Areas” to “Less Concerning Areas”, with each category representing approximately 25% of the total area. The classification follows principles of systematic conservation planning, incorporating spatial representations of both the distribution and sensitivity of each conservation target.

Certain species, habitats, or ecosystem services are more vulnerable due to intrinsic biological or ecological traits, or due to their geographic location. Moreover, the model considers landscape-level attributes—such as environmental conditions that either support or hinder biodiversity persistence—that are not directly tied to the mining threat but are critical for understanding overall ecological resilience.

Importantly, only targets that are likely to become even more vulnerable in the absence of preventive or mitigation measures were included in the mapping, ensuring that the tool supports strategic planning and prioritization for conservation in the context of mineral exploration.

This gender integration initiative embeds gender analysis into every aspect of conservation project planning, implementation, and evaluation. It ensures that women’s roles, needs, and aspirations, particularly in natural resource management and ecosystem restoration, are recognized and addressed. A key component is providing targeted training in sustainable practices that boost household food security and foster environmental stewardship.

Women are empowered to assume leadership roles as community leaders, educators, and advocates for sustainable resource management. This enhances their participation in decision-making, particularly where resource management impacts their livelihoods and local ecosystems. Facilitating their engagement in governance structures ensures that conservation strategies are inclusive and equitable.

Women also play a critical role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts, especially with jaguars in the Cerrado. By sharing knowledge of sustainable land-use practices, they help design conflict-mitigation strategies, such as “jaguar-proof” livestock enclosures or diversified livelihood approaches that reduce pressure on habitats. Integrating women’s perspectives into restoration efforts enhances biodiversity recovery and promotes social equity, making this approach transferable to conservation initiatives elsewhere.

The collaborative land management planning initiative creates comprehensive plans to conserve jaguar habitats while considering the livelihoods of local communities. It emphasizes participatory processes that actively involve all stakeholders: local community members, government agencies, NGOs, and wildlife conservation experts. Interactive workshops encourage participants to share insights on land use, conservation priorities, and resource management. These workshops serve both as platforms for gathering input and promoting awareness of jaguar conservation’s critical role within the broader ecosystem.

A key component is the inclusion of biodiversity assessments to systematically evaluate ecosystem health, focusing on jaguar populations and their habitats. Socio-economic factors -such as agricultural practices, local economic dependencies, and cultural values - are also considered to ensure plans are both ecologically and socially sustainable. A multi-stakeholder committee is established to ensure the effectiveness and longevity of these strategies. This committee fosters ongoing dialogue and provides mechanisms for adapting plans as environmental and social conditions evolve. This participatory, adaptive approach ensures a harmonious coexistence between jaguar habitats and sustainable economic activities, and is transferable to other regions facing similar land-use challenges.

The ecotourism development initiative focuses on creating sustainable opportunities centered on jaguar conservation, while showcasing the rich biodiversity of the Cerrado. This initiative includes the establishment of eco-lodges and guided tours designed to highlight jaguar habitats and other wildlife, such as bird species and medium to large mammals. Responsible wildlife viewing is carefully orchestrated to minimize human impact and maximize the chances of observing these elusive big cats in their natural environment.

Educational workshops emphasize the ecological role of jaguars and the importance of maintaining ecosystem balance. Interactive learning experiences cover tracking methods, habitat preservation, and apex predator significance. Additionally, cultural exchanges connect tourists with local rural communities, illuminating traditional practices and fostering appreciation for the region’s natural heritage.

To enhance visibility in the global ecotourism market, marketing strategies promote the unique cultural and natural attractions of the Cerrado. Targeted campaigns encourage eco-conscious travelers, both domestic and international, to engage in responsible tourism that generates income for local communities while directly supporting conservation. This model is transferable to other regions seeking to align economic development with biodiversity protection.

This building block emphasizes the transformative role of technology in monitoring wildlife populations and habitats, particularly jaguars. As apex predators, jaguars are key indicators of ecosystem health; understanding their movements and habitat use is vital for effective conservation. Using tools like camera traps, drones, and remote sensing, we collect high-resolution data on jaguar behaviors and habitat changes. Strategically positioned camera traps provide real-time insights into movements, breeding, and conflicts, supporting adaptive management and rapid responses.

Combined with satellite imagery, these technologies offer a holistic view of habitat conditions, tracking land use changes, vegetation cover, and threats such as poaching. Data are transmitted via mobile and satellite networks to a centralized platform, enabling timely analysis and coordinated conservation actions. The program incorporates citizen science by training local community members in data collection and reporting, fostering ownership and enhancing local capacity. E-waste generated by equipment is responsibly managed through certified recycling. This participatory, tech-driven approach strengthens conservation outcomes and long-term sustainability.

This building block emphasizes the development and implementation of comprehensive training programs tailored for local communities, focusing on wildlife conservation strategies, habitat preservation, and effective conflict mitigation techniques essential for both community and ecological health. The program includes multiple modules on key aspects of conservation, such as jaguar behavior, the ecological role of apex predators, and identification of habitats and corridors that facilitate safe wildlife movement.

Participants also receive practical training on sustainable agricultural practices that minimize habitat encroachment and livestock predation. For example, integrating agroforestry techniques helps create buffer zones by planting shade trees alongside cash crops, thus promoting biodiversity and offering alternative livelihoods for local farmers. The program also addresses non-lethal conflict resolution techniques, such as employing guard animals and installing protective fencing, while launching community awareness campaigns that promote coexistence.

This training model is transferable to other regions facing similar human-wildlife conflicts, offering a scalable approach to community-based conservation and long-term ecological resilience.