The Instituto Floresta Viva (IFV or Living Forest Institute, in english) was founded in 2003, but its history began in 1996, when members of the IESB (Institute of Social-Environmental Studies of Southern Bahia, in english) worked together in order to minimize the impacts of the new highway between the cities of Ilhéus and Itacaré, which would have paved through centennial trees, preserved rivers, and rural communities of cassava and lumber producers. Since then, a series of events explain the trajectory of the IFV.
The team understood that the highway – financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IBD) – could either be seen as a threat or a great opportunity. True to their nature, the team perceived a new concept of economy allied to local preservation and development: an economy capable of promoting prosperity for all its inhabitants.
We asked for the environmental conservation of this region, and the community, who wanted the road very much, thought we would stop the work. During a presentation on the results of an environmental impact study on the watershed, we declared our support for the highway, provided it was done correctly. It was then that the locals realized that development and ecology could go together.
The IESB team thus influenced the layout and construction of the 65 km Ilhéus-Itacaré highway and the almost simultaneous creation of the Serra do Conduru State Park, alongside the APA Costa de Itacaré-Serra Grande. These protected areas strengthened a new culture of products and services associated with environmental conservation.
In 2000, the IESB created the Floresta Viva Project. With the support of Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund) and the Ford Foundation, the project focused on the training and strengthening of about sixty farming families directly impacted by the construction of the highway.

Photo: Acervo IFV
At the time, sustainable agricultural practices were less widespread and the practice of burning the land to “clean” the soil before planting was widely prevalent. In addition, many people subsisted through the deforestation and sale of trees of the Atlantic Forest. As both activities were prohibited by environmental legislation and there was greater enforcement, farmers needed to find alternative ways of surviving. Many were indebted to development banks – which, in turn, facilitated access to credit, but failed to provide continued technical assistance to the producer.
The Floresta Viva Project helped bring about a permanent dialogue and adequate solutions between the farmer, the community and the environment. It was necessary to invest in long conversations to build bonds of trust with the local communities.

Photo: Acervo IFV
As the work took shape, the results soon appeared and the project transformed into an institution. The Floresta Viva Institute (IFV) trusted in forest restoration and the reconciliation of man and nature. In this way, IFV began to direct its energy and resources towards the Serra do Conduru, in Southern Bahia, while IESB invested in emerging research of conservation of biodiversity.
At that time, IFV was a pioneer in proposing a vision focused on landscape management and defending the conviviality between environmental preservation and a forest economy. Today, Floresta Viva is a center of knowledge production and dissemination of information about the Atlantic Rainforest, native species and aspects related to its preservation.

Photo: Acervo IFV
Over the years, the organization has developed key initiatives in the region. These include the restoration of degraded areas (in partnership with public agencies and civil society entities), the identification and formalization of five quilombola nuclei, and a campaign to discuss the impacts of the Project of Porto Sul.
With this, IFV consolidated its image as an organization that significantly engages the local population while positively influencing public policies and producing knowledge about the region’s importance.
IFV has been important in promoting social capital in the region. From our work, directly or indirectly, we have attracted and cooperated with a number of local and regional organizations, events, initiatives and movements. This is our greatest legacy, in the long run, along with nature conservation.