Digitizing Biodiversity: Seedling Nursery Management in Brazil

At Alcoa Corporation’s Poços de Caldas operations in Brazil, our Seedling Nursery plays a vital role in mine rehabilitation, environmental compensation planting, and community seedling donations. With capacity to produce up to 120,000 seedlings annually, effective tracking of species, seed collection, germination, and distribution is essential to restoring ecosystems and protecting biodiversity.

The team digitized nursery management through a mobile application that streamlines data collection and monitoring across the entire seedling lifecycle. The tool enables geo-referenced mapping of seed sources, structured tracking of sowing and growth, and real-time monitoring of seedling outputs for rehabilitation and community initiatives.

Live dashboards provide visibility into species diversity, germination and survival rates, inventory levels, and planting destinations, supporting more informed decision-making and improved operational efficiency in biodiversity management.

Recognized with an Alcoa Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Excellence Award in 2025, the initiative demonstrates how digital innovation can enhance environmental stewardship and offers potential for broader application across Alcoa’s global operations.