General Motors do Brasil - Cruz Alta Proving Ground

About the Program
For the last several years, General Motors of Brazil has operated conservation projects at their Indaiatuba facilities about 60 miles northwest of São Paulo. At this location, the international vehicle manufacturer manages about 350 acres of landscaped and grassland habitat, in addition to surrounding forested area, a trail system and wetlands. These areas and the activities undertaken support biodiversity, ecosystem health and targeted species that are impacted by GM’s operations such as birds, pollinators and large mammals. The conservation objectives for their projects include protecting species that move through their facilities, improving quality habitats and providing educational opportunities for students, employees and community members to enhance their environmental actions and awareness. 

Practices and Impacts

Sustainability on the Farm

• Started in June 2017, this project uses the local forest habitat to develop educational content and convey the importance of biodiversity.
• Once a year, about 190 students ages 8-16 from a selected school receive an online presentation offering a simple overview of Brazil's ecosystems, reasons for environmental destruction and actions that can be taken. 
• Through teamwork, coordination with the school and formal feedback, the project has shown improvement in student environmental knowledge and awareness. 

World Water Day

• Since March 2019, the project has used the Buru River and its surrounding wetlands to educate about water issues such as availability, pollution, and protection. 
• Once a year, about 60 elementary and high school students are engaged to increase their environmental awareness about water issues.
• In collaboration with selected schools, the project follows a plan to ensure activities and content is appropriate to the students' needs and school curriculum.
• Virtual presentations offer a simple format and engaging visuals, where follow-up questionnaires show that students were assimilating the content.

Help Birds 

• Since February 2019, this project protects nine native bird species by providing and improving the necessary habitat conditions via tree cover and bird house installment for shelter and nesting.
• Species protected include the burrowing owl, American black vulture, southern lapwing, snowy egret, southern caracara, great kiskadee, swallow-tailed hummingbird, rufous hornero, and chopi blackbird.
• Bird houses are designed and located in areas that attract birds and protect them from predators. In 2021, they were relocated to encourage additional use.
• Observational monitoring occurs monthly accounting for species, abundance, bird houses conditions, and metadata. 
• On-site habitats maintain — and, at times, increase — local avian biodiversity. 

Tree Day

• Started in September 2021, the project aims to develop student awareness for trees’ critical role in the environment and society. 
• In a virtual setting, over 60 students between 10-16 years old participated in the project.
• Working with school representatives, the project implemented a successful event on Tree Day with a presentation offering simple descriptions, engaging visuals and a sequence that introduced trees and thoroughly explained their importance for the student audience.