Bio-diversity

Sempre viva flowers are native Cerrado species tiny in size and are traditionally dried and used for decorations. Collection of these flowers in the state of Minas Gerais is an extractive activity which has taken place for many years. Successful commercialization of the flowers created much interest in the activity, decimating the natural occurrence of the species in the Cerrado fields. The use of fire was considered necessary for reproduction of the plants once their flowers had been collected. This project has the objective of establishing sustainable management techniques for these flowers, adding to ecological and socio-economic research, subsidizing the creation of producer, trader and craftsmen/women cooperatives, and offering capacity-building activities for protection of the species and their natural habitat. Furthermore, training will be offered in handcraft production, increasing the quality of the products and adding value to the production.

Brazil