In 2014, the Land Conservation Organization (OCT) increased the number of partners, and through its projects, benefitted 1,045 family units in the Bahia Southern Lowlands, which now balance work and income by conserving and valuing natural resources. Supported by the Odebrecht Foundation and public and private partners, OCT is part of the Governance Plan implemented by the Bahia Southern Lowlands Positive Results Environmental Protection Area Mosaic Program for Development and Growth Integrated with Sustainability (PDCIS).

Gerson Costa is one of the farmers who learned the importance of sustainable development. Through the Payment for Environmental Services Program (PSA) – which is part of the Pratigi Water Producer and Pratigi Neutral Carbon projects – he and other rural producers from Igrapiúna, Bahia, contributed in 2014 toward the reforestation of a water source used collectively by the residents of the community of Mata do Sossego.

“Besides being a fair way to compensate those who conserve natural resources, PSA should be viewed as a strategic mechanism for the integrated planning of properties, with a focus on promoting a low impact economy,” said Volney Fernandes, Executive Director at OCT. 

HOW CAN I COMPENSATE?
Through the Pratigi Neutral Carbon Program, any person or company can measure the environmental impacts of their actions and compensate them. To do this, simply visit the OCT website. The result is displayed in numbers of trees and the values in Brazilian Reais of how much it would cost to plant these. This is how it is possible to finance the service so that OCT can offer it.