Join YACHAK Yerba Mate Energy Tea, One Tree Planted, and Shutterstock on their global mission to help preserve and share the beauty of the Amazon rainforest.
Teeming with breathtaking beauty and life, the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest stands as a testament to the marvels of our planet’s biodiversity. But, under its lush canopy, a harsh truth emerges: The rainforest is under threat from unsustainable practices like farming, logging, and urban expansion.
Yet, a glimmer of hope shines through a collaborative campaign between YACHAK Yerba Mate, the non-profit One Tree Planted (OTP), and Shutterstock.
Last year, YACHAK’s “The Amazon Assignment” dispatched a photographer deep into the heart of Brazil’s rainforest. The mission? To blend environmental advocacy and artistic expression into a collection of jaw-dropping photographs that’ll make the world sit up and take notice.
But, creating awareness was not the final stop. The YACHAK brand has come up with a way for all of us to contribute to the forest’s revival—and they’ve partnered up with Shutterstock to do it!
On August 18th, the treasure trove of images taken during “The Amazon Assignment” will be available for licensing in the newly created Reforestation Collection on Shutterstock.
Shutterstock will contribute 100% of the licensing proceeds to support One Tree Planted’s reforestation efforts. People can become a part of something big by licensing these images to supercharge their own creative projects.
Let’s explore the essence of “The Amazon Assignment” and the driving forces behind the Reforestation Collection.
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The Roots of Purpose: Why the Amazon Rainforest?
The YACHAK brand is no stranger to environmental initiatives in South America. For seven years, they have worked with One Tree Planted to give back to the region that yields the main ingredient for their 100% plant-based Yerba Mate Energy Tea: Yerba Mate.
Every can of YACHAK sold contributes to the brand’s pledge to plant more than 500,000 trees by 2024 and restore nearly 300 acres of green space.
In this same spirit of restoration, “The Amazon Assignment” has become more than a project. It has transformed into YACHAK’s answer to a dire call for action.
In response, the Reforestation Collection, exclusively available on Shutterstock, will directly contribute to funding the Amazon’s revival, demonstrating the collective commitment of these partners to make a tangible impact.
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“One Tree Planted has been a pivotal partner since the start of our brand journey. With their team’s help and in collaboration with Shutterstock, we saw ‘The Amazon Assignment’ as an engaging way to bring consumers behind the photographer’s lens, telling a story beyond what traditional brand-owned content could convey,” says Brady Badmington, Brand Manager at YACHAK.
As more people license these images and join the ongoing movement for restoration, the positive ripple effects of this campaign will extend far beyond its initial scope.
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“We work with this amazing organization on the ground called SOS Amazonia. The proceeds from the Reforestation Collection will bolster their efforts to restore deforested areas, while finding a balance between wild forest and agriculture,” explains Louis Lagoutte, Regional Fundraising Director for Europe at OTP.
Through SOS Amazonia’s agroforestry systems—a harmonious blend of tree planting and sustainable agriculture—they are able to foster long-term self-sufficiency, creating income and job opportunities within the local communities.
Lagoutte continues:
It’s all about nurturing the delicate web of life that thrives within the Amazon rainforest and bridging a connection between consumers and the natural world that sustains us.
Louis Lagoutte, Regional Fundraising Director for Europe at OTP
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Inside the Reforestation Collection
In the autumn of 2022, YACHAK and OTP launched “The Amazon Assignment,” a nationwide contest designed to uncover an aspiring photographer who could beautifully encapsulate the region’s natural splendor and breathe life into its story of destruction and revival.
Chris Poplawski, outdoors enthusiast and gifted landscape photographer, emerged as the winner.
Chris traveled through the Amazonia for over two weeks with the One Tree Planted and YACHAK teams. They entrusted him to infuse the project’s creative direction with his distinctive perspective.
Poplawski explains, “Working with them was incredibly smooth. Their open-mindedness allowed me to trust my vision and be fully immersed in the process.”
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His lens captured an abundance of remarkable images and unveiled landscapes painted in contrasts—vibrant, life-filled riverbanks juxtaposed with deforested expanse.
During his photographic expedition, Poplawski discovered the stark reality of deforestation and its effects on the environment and inhabitants.
“What were once towering trees and abundant greenery are now smoke-filled fields in every direction,” Poplawski recounted.
He recalls a moment that deeply impacted him and the YACHAK and OTP teams:
We stood by the river, basking in the golden hue of the sun on the trees, when ash suddenly began to fall from the sky. Right then, someone was setting their forest ablaze. A magnificent sunset turned into an apocalyptic scene. I think every single person had tears in their eyes.
Photographer Chris Poplawski
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Today, these photographs that encapsulate the good, bad, awe-inspiring, and ground-breaking moments of his journey are accessible to all on Shutterstock. From stunning shots of colorful flora to peeks into the lives of the locals, these images reveal the heartbeats of the forest and the stories of those who are tirelessly working to protect and restore it.
“When people say the rainforest is on fire, it’s more than a headline or a caption. Until you witness it yourself, grasping the magnitude of this tragedy is challenging,” says Poplawski. “I hope that when people see these images, they are inspired to educate themselves further about our environment.”
Badmington echoes the sentiment, “These visuals articulate the stakes, the urgency. By encapsulating reality, we hope to evoke a deep sense of responsibility.”
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Shutterstock: A Partner for Long-Term Impact
After immersing themselves in the visuals from “The Amazon Assignment” and feeling their impact firsthand, the YACHAK team wanted to ensure that the campaign’s story—its beauty and challenges—reached a wide audience.
“We were utterly amazed by Chris’s images. We wanted this story to have a long tail and lasting impact. Shutterstock’s extensive reach also guaranteed that our message would resonate globally, igniting unparalleled awareness,” Badmington shared.
He adds:
Shutterstock’s reputation as a widely recognized and trustworthy platform made it the perfect place for our collection to be showcased.
Brady Badmington, Brand Manager at YACHAK
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As Lagoutte describes, “Shutterstock is a storytelling tool embraced by many. These images will help tell the story of the Amazon, shedding light on aspects that might not be common knowledge among consumers.”
This interconnectedness creates a circle of impact—restoring the Amazon, empowering communities, telling visual stories, and preserving balance.
Badmington reflects, “What began as a small brand concept has grown legs that will support OTP’s endeavors for years to come. Shutterstock’s involvement isn’t just about the present; it’s about the enduring impact these images will have on shaping a sustainable future.”
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Planting Seeds of Change with Every Purchase
People can rest assured that the proceeds from the Reforestation Collection will be a conduit for meaningful contributions. The funds going to SOS Amazonia and One Tree Planted play a pivotal role in generating stable incomes and creating jobs to empower hundreds of local farmers.
Badmington underscores YACHAK’s core message to consumers: Firstly, that the rainforest confronts a critical issue demanding immediate attention, and secondly, that YACHAK is committed to being part of the solution.
Every image from this campaign revealed an underlying narrative, capturing moments that often remain hidden from our sight and removed from our thoughts.
Yet, amidst several heart-wrenching scenes, Poplawski found moments of enlightenment through interactions with the community. One such encounter was with a group of women whose gratitude for external interest and support left an indelible mark.
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“Throughout the rainforest, numerous voices want to save their land, but they lack the right associations and outlets. Initiatives run by organizations like OTP and SOS Amazonia provide the funding needed to support and empower these women striving to make a difference,” Poplawski explained. “They educate locals and establish connections with businesses pursuing a more sustainable approach.”
The donations from YACHAK’s collection on Shutterstock will ensure the continuity of these brands’ meaningful endeavors.
From rubber for shoes to rare fruits and Brazilian nuts, locals will ultimately be able to cultivate valuable products in an environmentally conscious manner.
Harnessing the forest’s inherent abundance and utilizing sustainable agroforestry methods, reforestation efforts will enhance livelihoods for generations.
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Join the Journey of Impact and Conservation
YACHAK, One Tree Planted, and Shutterstock have shown that when creativity, purpose, and partnership converge, the results aren’t just photographs—they’re echoes of hope.
Through this campaign, YACHAK and OTP aspire to galvanize other companies toward greater investment in sustainability and environmental safeguarding.
Badmington emphasizes, “While much is said about brands leading environmental change, we aim to demonstrate the transformative impact of backing our words with action. Our ingredients come from these forests, and we relish the chance to support the communities that enable us to craft the products we love.”
Lagoutte concludes, “Beyond creating more funds for ecological restoration, I hope ‘The Amazon Assignment’ and the Reforestation Collection encourage other brands to be less reactive and more proactive and ambitious in their environmental initiatives, such as YACHAK has done.”
Inspired by “The Amazon Assignment”? Join this movement of change. Explore the Reforestation Collection on Shutterstock, and with every license, contribute to preserving and restoring the lush beauty of the Amazon Rainforest.
License these images via Reforestation Collection x2 x3.
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