For the Xokleng, or Laklãnõ people, of southern Brazil, restoring the Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia) means protecting their culture, history and connection to the land. Known as zág, the ancient tree is central to their traditions and creation stories, while its seeds provide food and income.
Once widespread across Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, the species has declined dramatically due to deforestation and logging, with less than 3% of its original forests remaining. The Xokleng see the loss of the tree as closely linked to threats facing their own culture and language.
In 2016, Carl Gakran founded the Zág Institute to restore the sacred tree. Together with his community, he has since produced more than 140,000 seedlings, planting them across around 1,000 hectares of degraded land. Schools, volunteers and local families take part in growing and planting the trees.
Using Indigenous knowledge, the project harvests seeds sustainably and promotes the recovery of native forests. Beyond conservation, the initiative strengthens food security, creates sustainable livelihoods and helps preserve ancestral traditions.
For the Xokleng, reforesting with Brazilian pines is more than an environmental project – it is a way to restore their identity, protect their territory and pass their heritage on to future generations.
