The Jaguar Rivers Initiative (JRI) was officially launched during Climate Week in New York. Held annually, this largest global event of its kind gathers leaders, activists, and organizations in a series of meetings and events that seek solutions to the planet’s environmental challenges.
That same week, the city also hosted the Global Citizen Festival, an event that combines music, activism, and social engagement to promote causes such as the fight against poverty, the climate crisis, and social inequality. The Jaguar Rivers Initiative was presented on stage to the world by one of the leading global voices in environmental conservation, Kris Tompkins, with the goal of joining this continental initiative with a global mobilization effort.
During her appearance at the festival, Tompkins announced a $26 million investment commitment in JRI aimed at creating a major ecological corridor that crosses national borders and promotes large-scale ecosystem restoration. Onçafari (Brazil), Rewilding Argentina (Argentina), Fundación Moisés Bertoni (Paraguay), and Nativa (Bolivia) are joining forces to form the Jaguar Rivers Initiative, the largest ecological restoration effort ever undertaken in South America.
“To act for the future, we must begin to imagine, or redesign, new maps. Maps not defined by national borders, but guided by nature at their core.”
— Sofía Heinonen, CEO of Rewilding Argentina, during a Climate Week event
The participation of notable figures who emphasized the relevance of the initiative for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration on a continental scale has increased JRI’s visibility and prominence. At Global Citizen 2025, Kris Tompkins highlighted the importance of thinking about integrated ecological corridors through local institutions in each country, preserving nature in its entirety. Her presence and support during the events reinforced the Jaguar Rivers Initiative’s potential.
In addition to international visibility, Global Citizen showed how collaboration across sectors, from philanthropy to science and activism, is essential to make projects that combine sustainable development and environmental protection possible. Onçafari’s participation reinforces this connection between local knowledge and global ambition.
Thus, the launch of the Jaguar Rivers Initiative at Climate Week was not only a milestone for South American conservation, but also a call to action for governments, civil society, and investors to unite in support of nature and the climate demonstrating that even in times of crisis it is possible to build a more balanced and sustainable future.
Learn more about the initiative here!
Written by: Maria Julia Farias
Cover Photo: The Explorer Club
