top of page

Local Perspective: Saving the Santa Rosa River

  • Water Production Connections
  • Mar 22, 2021
  • 2 min read

Updated: Apr 20, 2021

By Cassie Sevigny

Santa Rosa river curving through tropical forest
Photo Credit: Cassie Sevigny

The Connections between Water and Rural Production project (CAP) investigates whether and which farmers adapt their production systems when they experience changes in rainfall, what adaptations they make, and whether these adaptations reduce income losses expected when drying occurs. Improved understanding of these responses will inform efforts by government agencies and civil society to help farmers adjust to changes in water availability. In June 2019, the CAP team visited the Agroecological Association of Rondonia (AAR), a local farmer association in the Santa Rosa community concerned with water, soil degradation and food security. The CAP researchers were led through a small section of rainforest AAR advocated to preserve along the banks of the Santa Rosa river.


The Santa Rosa River isn’t very big and is difficult to find on a map, even if you know where it is. It combines with other nearby streams to feed into Rio Jaru, Rio Ji-Parana, Rio Madeira, and finally the Amazon. This sequence of rivers is the water source for much of the state, including the very municipalities that would’ve sent their trash here had the community not acted.


Not too long ago, this spot was slated to become the municipal dump. The municipality of Ouro Preto do Oeste acquired the land in 2001. “I’ll never forget 9/11,” Assis Pereirra de Morais said, as it was “not only important for the world and also for me.” That was the day he started fighting against the dump plans. The Santa Rosa community organized with other municipalities and agencies to halt the project, but the city came back in 2011 with an even bigger proposal: a dump site for eleven cities. They brought an excavator to the site to prove the water was deep enough underground that trash wouldn’t affect it. They hit water at 1 meter deep.


The local government failed to obtain a license from the state environmental agency, so a public hearing took place. Community members, state environmental agents, and the public prosecutor, who’d seen the excavator hit water, attended the meeting with the mayor. They all opposed the dump. The mayor gave up, saying he had found another spot. Today the site remains a lush rainforest growing over a calm stream. Next door, the water supports AAR’s community agriculture projects, and tree planting helps restore more of the ecosystem.


16 Comments


choi seung ju
choi seung ju
Jan 01

I've been visiting countless sites, browsing a wide variety of posts and videos, and experiencing the unique characteristics of each. Your posts are truly amazing. They're perfect in both structure and presentation. Thank you for sharing this valuable resource.

Many people experience back and shoulder pain due to prolonged work with poor posture. I'd like to introduce a site that shares information on sports massage jobs and how to relieve muscle tension with simple exercises at home. 마사지알바

Like

Dennis Hobson
Dennis Hobson
Oct 21, 2025

The Police Man Badges are crafted with precision and professionalism, showing a strong sense of tradition and duty. Each badge reflects the values of honor and service that define the role. For those who appreciate craftsmanship and detail, Jet Better brings that same level of excellence to private aviation.

Like

Sujin Jeong
Sujin Jeong
Oct 01, 2025

Reading about the Santa Rosa River community protecting their land and water is truly uplifting Just like nature needs care and restoration, our bodies also deserve balance and healing. That’s why HoneyRoom 출장안마 brings professional therapists directly to your home or hotel, offering personalized relaxation and recovery. After long days of work or stress, let HoneyRoom help you recharge—because true well-being comes from harmony inside and out.

Like

Branxify 2025
Branxify 2025
Sep 29, 2025

Branxify, a leading Web Application Development Company, offers tailored web application development services and application development services to build scalable, secure, and high-performance digital solutions.

Like

suksesmuda amin
suksesmuda amin
Sep 22, 2025

Really insightful post about the Santa Rosa River conservation efforts. I believe that long-term sustainability projects can benefit a lot from better coordination and digital tools. For those interested in exploring how automotive CRM solutions can support stakeholder management and engagement, you can check here: automotive CRM solutions.

Like

Follow us on social media:      Instagram      Facebook      Twitter

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Connections between Water and Rural Production: Sociohydrological Systems on a Tropical Forest Frontier

Project funded by the National Science Foundation: CNH-L #1825046

A collaboration between:

Main Logo white-01.png
black-center-reverse-UWlogo-print.png
SU_Logo_white_edited.png
UNIR.png
nyu_short_white_edited.png
NCState.png
SDSUprimaryGSrgbRV.png
FAEMA2 copy.png

© 2019 by Salisbury University. Proudly created with Wix.com |  Terms of Use  |   Privacy Policy

bottom of page