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Check out what our Iracambistas have written about Iracambi. What were their challenges? What were their most memorable experiences? Read the texts below and discover how their lives were transformed in the Atlantic Forest!
From Colorado to the Atlantic Forest: discovering Iracambi
August 19th, 2024
“In July and August 2024, I, Karen, had the opportunity to visit the Iracambi Research Center in Brazil, with support from the Partners of the Americas exchange program, after years of remote collaboration with Binka and Robin Le Breton. The experience was not only professionally enriching, but also deeply rewarding on a personal level.
Located in the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais, Iracambi is a reference center for conservation and community-based environmental education. The visit held special meaning as it was my first time there with my family, after having previously sent students from the University of Northern Colorado to the Center. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by the beauty of the forest and the hospitality of the team, fully immersing ourselves in the rhythm and mission of the place.
One of the highlights was participating in the agroforestry project and strengthening the partnership between Iracambi and UNC. Agroforestry integrates native and fruit-bearing trees to restore ecosystems, capture carbon and support local communities. During our stay, we helped reorganize 1,500 seedlings in the nursery, built bamboo structures and collaborated on various hands-on activities. The work was intense but deeply rewarding.
Planting these seedlings became a metaphor for Iracambi’s mission: rebuilding the world, seed by seed, in the face of global environmental challenges, through the union of science, action and respect for the land. Working alongside the team revealed the care and knowledge required for agroforestry to truly serve as a tool for environmental and social transformation.”
Filming in the forest with Eshan
June 25th, 2024
“My name is Eshan, I’m from the United States, and I am in Brazil through Harvard University’s DRCLAS SIP (Summer Internship Program), completing an internship in São Paulo. This is my first time in Brazil, in Latin America, and traveling alone – many firsts all at once.
My identity has been deeply shaped by my journey with cancer, diagnosed when I was four years-old, and by other medical experiences that transformed my life path. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found in cameras a new way of seeing the world. Even while facing surgeries, long periods of limited mobility and lockdown, I discovered moments of lightness and happiness amid hardship.
From a young age, the performing arts helped me overcome shyness and communicate more confidently. I grew up participating in inclusive arts programs, alongside people with different abilities and life stories, which expanded my empathy – something that now directly influences the way I make documentaries.
For a long time, I thought about pursuing medicine, inspired by my own story, but difficult experiences during high school led me to explore other paths. At Harvard, I experimented with different fields of study: I initially studied economics, then switched to statistics with a focus on economics. Now I’m not sure what my plan is, but I know I feel a strong pull toward medicine, conservation and audiovisual storytelling. Nature, for me, is a profound form of physical and spiritual connection.
While searching for conservation organizations in Brazil, I found Iracambi through a true leap of faith. Even without knowing exactly what I would find, I stepped once again outside my comfort zone. Despite friends’ doubts, this choice proved to be extremely positive – my experience in Brazil has been incredible.”
Where is Anita?
June 2nd, 2024
“The Iracambi Research and Conservation Center, in Minas Gerais, has been gaining international recognition for hosting students from Wesleyan University, to which I have been sending students for nearly a decade. Although I, Anita, only recently visited the Center myself, I have long been impressed by the work led by Binka and Robin Le Breton, founders of the NGO more than twenty years ago. The students return visibly transformed, even if they cannot always explain why – perhaps due to the sheer power of the tropical forest itself.
When I finally visited Iracambi, I better understood this transformation. Today, the Center hosts researchers and volunteers from all over the world, creating a vibrant learning environment focused on conservation, agroforestry and environmental education, sustained by a dedicated and welcoming team.
After breakfast – ‘crepioca’ (tapioca with eggs and jam) – Robin takes me on his famous ‘Robintour’ driving his Land Rover. Having lived and worked on five continents, Robin reads the landscape like no one else. During the car ride, the complexity of conservation challenges became clear. Balancing reforestation, agriculture, mining and the local economy is never simple. Issues such as the creation of ecological corridors, land use by farmers, and the impacts of bauxite mining reveal the contradictions between the global desire to preserve forests and everyday consumption of natural resources, such as aluminum.
As Director of Intercultural Learning, I reflect on the role of universities in this context. The partnership between Wesleyan and Iracambi amplifies local voices and helps students understand the real-world dilemmas between conservation and sustainable development. The choices they make – and those made by all of us – have global impacts, affecting communities, the climate and our shared future. May the voices of those who live closest to the land guide us toward more conscious paths.”
The enchanted forest
December 19th, 2023
“My name is Maria Eduarda, I live in Ubá (Minas Gerais), and I would like to share a little about the visit I made to Iracambi with my classmates. Shall we begin?
Iracambi is a non-governmental organization located in Minas Gerais, in the rural area of Rosário da Limeira. During the visit, I was able to observe and experience several important aspects related to the preservation of the Atlantic Forest and the activities carried out there. The physical space is vast and offers breathtaking views. The lush trees and plants create a green and immersive atmosphere. The trail winds through the vegetation, allowing for a complete immersion in nature. The rivers that cross the area are wonderful, with crystal-clear and refreshing waters. The green lawn invites moments of relaxation and contemplation. The sounds produced by local animals, such as birds and insects, create a unique and harmonious soundscape. The scent of nature fills the air, awakening the senses and providing a truly unique sensory experience!
During the visit, I participated in activities led by biologist Dayana, including walks along the Medicinal Herbs Trail, a visit to the laboratory and also to the nursery. In addition, the site has a gathering space featuring flags from several countries, symbolizing the global reach of the environmental cause and promoting unity among cultures and nationalities.
The experience of being outdoors, in direct contact with nature, provided a feeling of energy and well-being. Iracambi is a true refuge that encourages connection with nature and contemplation of its beauty. The visit was enriching and inspiring, offering a broader understanding of the preservation of the magnificent Atlantic Forest.”
Victória's secret
August 21st, 2023
“My name is Victória, and I am 18 years-old. I have lived in Rosário da Limeira for 10 years. We moved here when I was 7, and before that I lived nearby, in the district of Belisário, which belongs to Muriaé, where my father’s family comes from.
My relationship with Iracambi began through my family, who are all very connected to environmental issues. The first time I came to Iracambi, I walked there on foot. Shortly afterward, some people from Iracambi visited my school and gave a presentation about the Research Center, which sparked my interest once again!
I decided to return to learn more, and one day on Instagram I saw that they were offering an online Environmental Education course. I have always loved nature, and the idea of connecting it with children seemed beautiful to me. During the pandemic, in January 2022, I enrolled in the online course and spent a month learning how to teach children about the environment through play. I loved how the course was structured. Some of the instructors had backgrounds in theater, which helped me get to know myself better, improve my communication skills, and overcome my shyness. There were many great activities throughout the course!
I didn’t want to stop there, and my fascination with Iracambi led me to apply for the Young Ecoleaders project. About 20 potential participants – all teenagers – presented their reasons for wanting to join the five-month program and what they hoped to learn. And I was one of the lucky ones! Each month we focused on a different theme: sun, water, flora, fauna and minerals. The 4 hours per week we spent at Iracambi were never boring: we went trekking, learned about medicinal plants and essential oils, made our own soaps, and much more.
I believe that fighting for the cause of reforestation is extremely important nowadays, and we must encourage the local population to value the forest – which is exactly what Iracambi is doing. And as an added bonus, Iracambi allows me to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds.
So, what is my secret? I now better understand the importance of water, soil, and sunlight, and how we can add value to forests. That is what is missing – people lack awareness and understanding. And that is exactly what we need to change!”
From then to now
July 24th, 2023
“My name is Russell, and I am back at Iracambi, a piece of land that has held a special place in my life since my first visit 12 years ago, when I was 17 and came with my father and his students. That brief experience sparked a deep connection that would shape my personal and professional path.
The following year, after finishing high school, I spent three months at Iracambi during a gap year in Brazil, serving as a volunteer coordinator. It was during this time that I worked on the construction of the Casa da Floresta, using sustainable building techniques and fell irrevocably in love with the Atlantic Forest and Iracambi’s mission.
These experiences sparked my interest in social research, eventually leading me to pursue a PhD in Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. My research focus – mining – emerged from experiences in Brazil and from Iracambi’s long-standing work in the region.
With family roots in Brazil, I also chose Iracambi for its proximity to my relatives. Now, I return to begin long-term research on conflicts surrounding land use among mining, conservation and agriculture. On this initial visit, I spoke with companies, local residents, activists and even followed school debates on the topic, always with the generous support of the Iracambi team.
Although I jokingly say ‘back in my day’, I recognize the positive changes at the Center, such as greater community engagement, improved infrastructure and more ambitious reforestation goals. I am deeply grateful to Iracambi for being part of my story and for having completely transformed the course of my life.”
Bonjour! Ahoj!
June 24th, 2023
“My name is Victoire, and I am currently studying Business Administration at the École Supérieure de Commerce in Paris. I have had the privilege of living a very international life, from Brussels to London, from Singapore to Toronto. I am very fortunate to continue my adventures by spending my three undergraduate years in Paris, Turin, and Berlin.
My multicultural journey has been an enriching and transformative experience. From my dual heritage – I am half Belgian and half Czech – to the cities where I have lived, each chapter has contributed to my personal growth, cultural understanding and passion for global business. All of this has helped me cultivate an adventurous spirit, guided by one of my personal mottos: finding comfort in discomfort.
I have been here for two weeks, and I can say that Iracambi has stolen my heart. Both sides of me are not only able to coexist, but to thrive. Business Vic will tell you that working here is exciting, as I can apply the concepts I learned in the classroom to real life. Nature-loving Vic will say it is euphoric to spend days in nature and live simply among others.
What I love most here is the freedom to immerse myself in everything. On mondays, I go to the local school to teach English. I am also involved in market research for the sale of natural soaps and in creating a catalog of natural products sourced from the community. In addition, I have been learning many new things, such as how the carbon market works and Iracambi’s potential inclusion in it in the future.
I would like to thank the staff, volunteers and members of the Iracambi family for their incredible support. I am eternally grateful to have met such beautiful souls!
At just 18 years-old, I still have much to learn. But it is up to us – the new generation- to face the challenges of the 21st century through education, sustainability, and communication, and to create a better world. In a world dominated by negative media, coming here ignited a flame of optimism within me.
By combining Business Vic and Nature Vic, I look forward to the future of my contribution. If we combine our collective power and unwavering determination, together we can create a ripple effect of transformative actions that will shape history and leave a lasting impact.
So – thank you, present, and hello, future!”
Meet Paola
June 14th, 2023
“My name is Paola and I am an Italian master’s student in Global Change Ecology and the Sustainable Development Goals at the University of Bologna. I have always been fascinated by the dynamic relationship between organisms and the environment, which sparked my interest in biodiversity and my desire to act against its destruction.
It was this motivation that brought me to Iracambi, where I am developing my first research project for my master’s dissertation under the supervision of professor Roberto Cazzolla Gatti. The study monitors Atlantic Forest biodiversity under different management types, using tree and mammal diversity as indicators, with data collected through forest plots and camera traps.
At the Iracambi farm, I analyze areas under distinct forest management regimes – eucalyptus plantations, areas enriched with native species, secondary forests, and older forests – along with variations in altitude. An external primary forest area is used as a reference to assess the potential for biodiversity and biomass restoration.
The goal is to maintain this monitoring protocol over time, integrating soil, water, and air data to guide reforestation efforts, the creation of ecological corridors, and protected areas.
In just a few weeks at Iracambi, I have already fallen in love with the place and its community – my first experience outside Europe. Being in daily contact with a regenerating forest reinforces my desire to turn this mission into a career and to contribute to a more resilient society committed to conservation. I am only at the beginning, but full of hope that this is the right path forward.”
My cold Russian heart melted…
January 1, 2021
“In search of opportunities, we fell in love with the idea of volunteering at Iracambi, an NGO that works tirelessly to conserve the Atlantic Forest. Since the colonization of Brazil, about 87% of the biome’s original area has been deforested, with what remains being highly fragmented, seriously threatening the species that once inhabited it.
Before traveling for 10 hours by plane, we were already anxious! Upon arriving in Brazil, we took an Uber, two buses, and a taxi to get to Iracambi in Minas Gerais (Brazil is bigger than you think!). We had camped in mountains and stayed in deserts and savannas before, but never for more than a week. Spending a long period in the middle of a tropical forest—with limited modern amenities—combined with the uncertainty of how exactly we would be helping to save the Atlantic Forest and whether we would be capable of doing manual labor, made us nervous.
We were already at Iracambi when, in January 2019, the Brumadinho dam collapsed. It was terrifying, but at the same time mobilizing, and it helped open people’s eyes. It further emphasized Iracambi’s mission and that of its team, especially regarding how important it is to engage in local politics and how persistent we must be to promote change.
There were so many experiences! We loved watching Thor, a dog aptly named, get into fights with Highlander, a guinea fowl; we encountered many animals, insects, and plants (Deivid saved us countless times from scorpions and spiders); and it was beautiful to see the care that Mia the cat showed toward her kittens (only later did we realize that the frightening noises echoing from the roof were not from a fierce animal, but from a pair of kittens!). My cold Russian heart melted, and we seriously considered adopting a kitten. We could tell story after story… It was an incredible experience that changed our lives!”
Written by Karol and Lily, a young couple who were at Iracambi in 2019 and currently live in Colorado.
Where are the monkeys?
October 15, 2020
“My name is Jon Hildred, and I spent about a month at Iracambi in 2001. The visit was unforgettable! I went with a group from my university to study the sauá monkey and hummingbirds. Unfortunately, the monkeys never appeared, but I fell in love with the behavior of the many hummingbird species. The goal of the study was to understand territoriality among different species. The result was that, in general, larger species were very aggressive and chased smaller birds away from feeders and plants. One of the other discoveries was that these tiny marvels disappeared in the middle of the day for a siesta. And who can blame them? When your life literally moves at the pace of a hummingbird, you need a rest!
There were many other memorable moments, such as the lizards that lived beneath our house and warmed themselves in the morning sun every day, welcoming us. There was also the exciting visit of an opossum to my room, the strange and wonderful insects that we know are the foundation of ecosystems, an alarmingly large spider that joined us one evening, a new species of catfish we found in a small pond in a nearby stream, and of course, the beloved dog Tigger, who used to walk us home to make sure we arrived safely before returning to his own quarters.
These are fond memories that I still talk about today. I hope to return to see all the surprising changes that have occurred over the years and once again enjoy the wildlife and the company of like-minded people!”
Surrounded by vibrant green!
February 2, 2018
“We, Emily Langdon and Tom Ball, are Europeans, and we had already set foot on the streets of major South American cities – Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Rio – but now we found ourselves surrounded by vibrant green, filled with the sounds of insects, birds and frogs.
When we arrived at Iracambi, we received a warm welcome and a freshly brewed coffee. After settling in, the volunteer coordinator presented a list of projects we could work on. Iracambi is a refuge for anyone with a project in mind. If you want to conduct a study on spiders, collect water quality data, or provide a series of workshops for schools that educate about the importance of conservation, this is the place where it is possible.
While you can establish your own project, you can also help with the NGO’s programs, such as ‘Forests for Water.’ The idea is to reforest land to increase water infiltration into the soil and help revive lost water resources. We greatly enjoyed helping with this project and delivering seedlings to local farms. Another area where we felt we could help was the vegetable garden. We cleared the area and planted many carrots, beets and okra to supply Iracambi’s table. We also helped maintain the trails and set up camera traps throughout the region. The Atlantic Forest is a stunning place to explore, and sometimes the sound of insects, birds and frogs is almost irresistible. We saw countless small, colorful birds!
Robin was kind enough to give us a tour of the area in his Land Rover. He shared stories about Iracambi and envisioned the future. It was clear how deeply passionate he is about the region.
We are very grateful to have been part of Iracambi’s work, even for a short time. We would like to thank everyone who welcomed us so warmly.”