The Brazilian land reform's motto and doctrine rest on the tripod “Occupy, resist and produce”, usually chanted out loud during assemblies and meetings held in settlements throughout Brazil. In the Pontal do Paranapanema, in the westernmost region of São Paulo, is known for its struggle for land. A project created by IPÊ's team “The waters will flow”, aims at incorporating a fourth word into the local land reform doctrine: “Occupy, resist, produce and preserve”.

“The waters will flow” is sponsored by Petrobras Ambiental, and meet basic needs in its search for a sustainable land reform in the rural settlements of the Pontal do Paranapanema. The project also broadens the discussion about the current model of land reform and, more specifically, about the way of tending fields, forests, and water resources in small properties in Brazil.

The project's main aims include the following:

• To reforest 700 hectares of legal reserves and gallery forests in small properties and settlements;
• To offer theoretical and practical training, assistance, environmental education, and agro-ecological extension on agro-forestry systems for 400 participants (several landowners, technicians and leaders from the communities involved);
• To implement 20 community tree nurseries in the rural properties involved;
• To broaden environmental education in the Pontal do Paranapanema, which has been achieving positive results in raising the community's awareness about the importance of conservation.