Reforesting Minds: Replântica at the Museum of Tomorrow
On 26 October 2026, the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) held the closing ceremony of the Replântica Project at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro. The ceremony brought together state government officials, representatives of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the German Embassy in Brazil, Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH Köln), the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), and members of the REGUA and Replântica teams.
Open to the public, the event welcomed approximately 250 people, including representatives of partner institutions, government officials, academics, researchers and course participants, who gathered to celebrate the project's achievements and recognise the legacy built through collective efforts.
One of the ceremony's main objectives was to highlight intercultural exchange as a key element of the project's success, emphasising cooperation between Brazil and Germany and the contributions of different institutions, communities and professionals to the development and sharing of knowledge for environmental conservation.
Throughout its three-year journey, Replântica reached more than 500 people from different parts of Rio de Janeiro State through 24 training courses and activities designed for a wide range of audiences, including women, young people, university students, rural landowners, and representatives of the public and private sectors and civil society organisations.
"The success of the Replântica Project lies in enabling nature to reclaim landscapes across Rio de Janeiro State, as well as in the knowledge gained by each participant throughout the courses, which will contribute to ecological restoration and conservation," said Rodrigo Mascarenhas, Rio de Janeiro State Secretary for the Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).
The event also brought together women leaders for a round-table discussion, where they shared their experiences as key figures in ecological restoration within their communities, initiatives and homes. The discussion provided an inspiring platform for the audience, highlighting the importance of women's leadership in environmental conservation.
Photos: Márcio Mendes
At the entrance to the event, Replântica presented an artistic installation featuring jequitibá fruits and seeds, curated by artisan Monica Carvalho. The artwork was created by women who participated in the project's courses between 2024 and 2026. Monica Carvalho also led the workshops associated with the Raízes que Lideram initiative.
The installation demonstrated how the connection between art, nature and knowledge can create opportunities for income generation, strengthen women's autonomy and foster a collaborative network committed to the conservation of the Atlantic Forest.
The jequitibá seeds, representing the potential for a new forest to emerge and flourish, also symbolised Replântica's lasting legacy: shared knowledge that will continue to take root, grow and transform lives long after the project's conclusion.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the Replântica Project was developed in partnership with Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH Köln), the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) and the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA).
Photos: Márcio Mendes
Although Replântica has come to an end, its legacy extends far beyond REGUA: a network of people, institutions and shared knowledge that will continue to contribute to the protection and restoration of the Atlantic Forest.
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