Location
Main Biome
Ha. Being Restored
Overview
The Instituto Felinos do Aguaí (IFA) was founded in 2005 by photographer and mountaineer Júnior Santos, after recording a puma track on the Trilha dos Tropeiros trail in the Aguaí State Biological Reserve (REBIO) in São Pedro, Siderópolis in Brazil’s Santa Catarina state. Located in the foothills of the Serra Geral, the Institute operates in rugged mountainous areas, canyons, and remnants of the Atlantic Forest, historically impacted by deforestation, agriculture, mining, railways, rice cultivation, and wind energy projects. These pressures have fragmented habitats and threaten five wild feline species: puma, ocelot, margay, southern tiger cat, and jaguarundi.
The Instituto Felinos do Aguaí aims to restore ecological integrity through strategic programs: wildlife research and monitoring, ecological health, environmental education, volunteer engagement, and functional rewilding. These actions strengthen forest regeneration, increase carbon sequestration, and enhance ecosystem resilience, aligned with the One Health concept, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
The socioeconomic context includes municipalities such as Treviso, Siderópolis, Nova Veneza, Morro Grande, Bom Jardim da Serra, and Criciúma, where communities rely on agriculture, tourism, mining, and wind energy. Local participation occurs through volunteer work, environmental education, cultural activities, and sustainable projects, promoting community engagement and socioeconomic benefits.
The mission of the Instituto Felinos do Aguaí is to ensure the preservation of wild felines and restore essential ecological processes. Its vision is a resilient, biodiverse, and socially inclusive Atlantic Forest, where people and nature coexist sustainably, ensuring a lasting environmental, climatic, and social legacy for future generations.
Impact story
Volunteer your time at Instituto Felinos do Aguaí – Brazil
Please note: You will need to arrange your own travel visa, if one is required.
Achievements
To date, the Instituto Felinos do Aguaí has restored eight strategic areas adjacent to the Aguaí State Biological Reserve, planting 663 native seedlings across 3,200 m², achieving an average density of 2,072 seedlings per hectare. Four water retention structures (“caxambus”) have been built at springs, safeguarding water supply for over 300,000 people and reducing soil erosion. Their efforts have supported the return of wild felines, birds, and numerous other wildlife species, while restoring critical habitats and strengthening forest connectivity, reinforcing essential ecological processes and enhancing the climate resilience of the Atlantic Forest.
Partners
UNESC – Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense
UNIFACVEST – Centro Universitário Facvest
UFRGS – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
FURB – Fundação Universidade Regional de Blumenau
IMA – Instituto do Meio Ambiente de Santa Catarina
FUNTREV – Fundação Municipal do Meio Ambiente de Treviso
FUNDAVE – Fundação Municipal do Meio Ambiente de Nova Veneza
FAMSID – Fundação Municipal do Meio Ambiente de Siderópolis
DMACRI – Diretoria Municipal de Meio Ambiente de Criciúma
PMSC – Polícia Militar Ambiental
TJSC – Tribunal de Justiça de Santa Catarina
MPSC – Ministério Público de Santa Catarina
RFB – Receita Federal do Brasil
PJSC – Poder Judiciário de Santa Catarina
Rewilding – The Global Alliance
Tiger Cats Conservation Initiative
Jane Goodall Institute – Roots & Shoots
SER – Society of Ecological Restoration
NbS – Nature Based Solutions
Restor
Industria Carbonífera Rio Deserto
Movimento ODS SC – Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável
Reserva São Francisco
Corredor Ecológico da Serra Geral
Caminho da Mata Atlântica
Pacto pela Mata Atlântica
Hospital São José
Librelato
Reserva da Biosfera da Mata Atlântica
ASGEM – Associação Serra Geral de Montanhismo
FEMESC – Federação de Escalada e Montanhismo do Estado de Santa Catarina
Tigrinus – Equipamentos para Pesquisa
Reserva Araponga
Conquista Montanhismo
Restoration Activities on Site
Tree planting
Water retention
Erosion control
Soil building
Habitat creation
Community building
Fire prevention
Restoration of livelihoods
Volunteer Facilities on Site
Visualise this ERC's Impact
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