non-governmental organizations
[NGOs]
Work with MORFO to restore forest ecosystems at scale, with scientific rigor, local engagement, and measurable outcomes.
Are you developing an NGO?
.webp)
There are 2 ways you can work with MORFO
Do you manage large areas requiring restoration within constrained timelines? MORFO delivers large-scale ecological restoration with operational efficiency, scientific rigor, and consistent quality standards.
Do you wish to collaborate on a restoration project? MORFO works in partnership with NGOs, allocating responsibilities across project stages such as site preparation, seed collection, planting, and long-term monitoring.
4 STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL reforestation project
01
diagnosis
Data collection using drones, satellite imagery, and field analyses enables a rigorous assessment of the area to be restored.
02
Planning
Appropriate native are selected from MORFO’s internal catalog, based on laboratory research and field validation. Seeds are sourced locally, and site preparation is carried out when necessary to support ecological establishment.
03
Planting
Planting is carried out using drones for large-scale deployment, complemented by manual planting where site conditions or local partnerships require it.
04
Ecological monitoring
Plantation evolution is monitored through biomass, biodiversity, and carbon indicators, using drone and satellite imagery to support long-term ecological tracking.
Some of MORFO's partnerships
.webp)
ITPA
Miguel Pereira, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Planting in an area north of the Tinguá biological reserve, in the municipality of Miguel Pereira.
In partnership with IPTA, a Brazilian family organization with over 20 years' experience in tree planting.
Area deforested 30 years ago for coffee plantations, charcoal production and grazing.
Natureza bela
Santa Cruz Cabrália, Bahia, Brazil
Founded in 2001, Natureza Bela contributes to nature conservation by providing environmental education and strengthening citizenship.
The land is a former sugarcane plantation which yields are too low due to soil degradation.
4 REASONS to call in morfo
Complementarity
MORFO combines drone-based seeding with manual planting when site conditions require it. This hybrid approach enables large-scale restoration while strengthening local NGOs and forestry groups, ensuring operational efficiency and ecological integrity.
biodiversity rehabilitation
MORFO currently manages a catalog of over 300 native species, with a target of reaching 1,000 by 2030. For each project, we select at least 20 locally adapted species based on field data, drone imagery, and satellite analysis. Partner laboratories support this selection process to ensure site-specific ecological restoration..
higher survival rate
Thanks to the use of seedpods and drones, MORFO improves seedling establishment compared to traditional methods. Survival rates observed during laboratory and nursery phases average around 80%, depending on species and conditions. In contexts of seed scarcity, this approach reduces seed demand and supports the restoration of larger areas.
opperation acceleration
Through in-depth environmental and operational analyses, MORFO designs optimized restoration plans in collaboration with local stakeholders. This structured approach supports efficient implementation and quality control at every stage of the project.
MORFO and
Local players
find out more
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
MORFO’s soil regeneration solution is based on a science-driven approach that integrates soil diagnostics, seedpods, artificial intelligence, and drone technology.This integrated methodology restores soil fertility, supports biodiversity recovery, and enables long-term, measurable ecosystem regeneration.
Over 1,000 people have already worked directly or indirectly with MORFO in Brazil, Gabon, French Guiana and France. What's more, MORFO allocates 1/3 of its budget to local stakeholders.
We are convinced that close collaboration with local stakeholders is essential for the long-term success of our projects. By working with local stakeholders, we are able to improve the quality of future reforestations by better understanding the characteristics of the area in question.
Local communities are involved in all stages of MORFO's solution:
- Consultation and planning: local inclusion begins with public consultation, gathering feedback and expectations from local communities. This feedback is then used to adapt projects, taking into account aspects such as species to be planted, planting methods, follow-up periods, forest exploitation, and local stakeholders' needs and expectations.
- Seed collection and plantation preparation: we work closely with local stakeholders to collect seeds, prepare the land and monitor reforestation projects over the long term. We collaborate with local associations to provide valuable assistance in setting up projects, and in some cases, to help with planting in the traditional way.
> And so much more: soil analysis, nursery management, soil preparation, planting of seedlings, forest maintenance and supervision.
Potential benefits include increased land value, improved soil productivity, and — where applicable — carbon-related revenues generated from regenerated ecosystems. These outcomes depend on site conditions, project design, and long-term land-use strategy.
MORFO combines manual planting and drone seeding as complementary restoration methods, selecting the most appropriate approach based on site conditions, accessibility, and project objectives.
Manual planting is carried out by local communities and NGOs and represents a deliberate part of MORFO’s implementation model. Across projects, up to 20% of planting activities are performed by hand, particularly in areas where precision, local knowledge, or ecological constraints require it. In parallel, approximately one-third of MORFO’s project budgets is allocated to local stakeholders, supporting employment, seed networks, and long-term engagement.
For example, in a project in our project in northern Rio de Janeiro state, drones were used to restore approximately 75% of the area, while the remaining 25% was planted manually in partnership with local actors. The NGO ITPA contributed biome-specific expertise on the Atlantic Forest, access to a nursery for manual planting, and trained local workers to carry out field operations.
>Drones enable fast, precise, and scalable restoration operations.
They allow MORFO to deploy seeds at a speed that is not achievable with manual methods alone. A single drone can restore up to 50 hectares per day, dispersing up to 180 seedpods per minute, which significantly accelerates large-scale restoration timelines.
> Drones help optimize costs without compromising ecological quality.
By accelerating planting and reducing the need for nursery production and prolonged seedling maintenance, drone seeding can lower operational costs compared to traditional planting approaches, particularly in large or remote areas.
> Drones improve safety and accessibility
They make it possible to restore remote, steep, or hazardous terrains that are difficult or unsafe for human crews to access, a common constraint in large-scale reforestation and post-disturbance landscapes.
> But our drones don't replace humans
Human intervention remains essential at every stage of the project, from terrain analysis and species selection to monitoring and adaptive management. Up to 20% of MORFO’s projects are carried out through manual planting, in partnership with local communities and NGOs, ensuring local engagement and ecological accuracy.
