In a remarkable turn of events, a false accusation that once endangered the life and work of Brazilian environmentalist Caetano Scannavino has instead paved the way for international recognition and vital support. What began as a political firestorm in 2019, when Brazil’s then-President Jair Bolsonaro falsely accused Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio of funding Amazon forest fires, has evolved into a powerful partnership between Scannavino’s nonprofit and the Hollywood star’s conservation group, Re:wild.
Back in November 2019, as wildfires raged in the Amazon, Bolsonaro publicly claimed that DiCaprio had bankrolled nonprofit organizations allegedly responsible for setting the blazes. According to The Associated Press, these allegations were not only baseless but also dangerous for those working on the ground. Scannavino, founder of the nonprofit Saúde e Alegria (Health and Happiness), suddenly found himself and his colleagues in the crosshairs. The fallout was swift and severe: police scrutinized the nonprofit’s records for weeks, Scannavino received anonymous threats, and his car was set on fire. Four of his friends, all volunteer forest firefighters, were jailed for two days and prosecuted—only to be cleared later of any wrongdoing.
"Those first few days after Bolsonaro's accusation were terrible. People insulted us and our families on the streets, the firefighters had to leave. But then a surprising thing happened," Scannavino recalled in an interview with The Associated Press. "Usually people get away from you if such a big target appears on your back. It was the opposite with us. Eventually the accusations went away, the firefighters were released, and people were curious about us—including DiCaprio."
Bolsonaro’s attempt to discredit environmental groups inadvertently drew international attention to Scannavino’s decades-long mission. Leonardo DiCaprio, despite initially denying any involvement in funding the alleged arson, became interested in the work of Saúde e Alegria. After seeing the organization’s impact, DiCaprio’s nonprofit, Re:wild, began sponsoring Scannavino’s initiatives. As Scannavino put it, “When the accusations emerged, DiCaprio came out to say he was not funding us, but added we deserved his support after he saw our work. I've never been with him or spoken to him. But he gives us support, uses his social media to show what this partnership does.”
The collaboration between Saúde e Alegria and Re:wild has since flourished, lasting five years as of November 2025. It’s a partnership that’s not just symbolic—real, tangible progress has been made on the ground. One of the flagship projects, the Forest Economy EcoCenter in Santarém, opened about a year ago. Supported by DiCaprio’s institute and the Amazon Fund (itself backed by the governments of Brazil, Germany, and Norway), the EcoCenter serves as a hub for processing, storing, and commercializing products made by local communities. Organizers say this facility has become crucial for enhancing the economic viability of sustainable practices in the region. The initiative cost about 5 million Brazilian reais (roughly $938,000), with most of the funding coming from the Amazon Fund.
Scannavino’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. He left São Paulo for the Amazon more than 37 years ago, founding Saúde e Alegria in 1987 to promote integrated and sustainable community development in Pará state. What started as a health care initiative has grown to encompass a broad array of programs aimed at improving quality of life and civic engagement for rural communities. The organization’s headquarters in Santarém, nestled along the Tapajós River, is now at the heart of a region that’s as famous for its natural beauty as it is for its environmental challenges.
In early November 2025, Scannavino arrived in Belém, the capital of Pará, after a two-day boat ride from Santarém. The trip was more than symbolic—it was part of a series of broadcasts with journalists, activists, and climate experts in the run-up to COP30, the United Nations’ Conference of the Parties, which Belém is set to host starting the week of November 11, 2025. The timing could not be more critical, as world leaders gather to discuss the future of the Amazon and the planet’s climate.
DiCaprio, for his part, has not shied away from using his global platform to advocate for Amazon defenders. In an Instagram post in early November 2025, the actor urged world leaders to “unite and meet the moment,” pledging more funding through Re:wild and insisting that “our future depends on it.” The message was clear: those on the front lines of conservation need resources and solidarity from the international community.
Scannavino’s approach to adversity has also played a role in attracting support. Rather than seeking political confrontation, he worked closely with local police and armed forces, determined to show that his organization was a legitimate partner in the region. “Our critics are specialists in hatred, and since that incident we chose to be polite, provide evidence we worked with all stakeholders, everyone who mattered in the region. We refused to leave our local communities without due health care assistance just because of an absurd accusation,” he told The Associated Press.
The political landscape in Brazil has shifted dramatically since the 2019 accusations. Bolsonaro, the former president who set off the controversy, was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2023 for a coup attempt following his failed reelection bid. Meanwhile, Scannavino’s work has garnered awards and acknowledgments, and he is expected to meet with Re:wild officials—and possibly DiCaprio himself—at COP30.
There’s even a touch of serendipity to the story. About 20 years ago, Scannavino nearly crossed paths with DiCaprio at a photo exhibition in New York. As Scannavino recounted, the actor, unrecognized and wearing a cap, was inadvertently shooed away by the exhibition team. “Shortly later our producer raced to tell me that was Leonardo DiCaprio,” Scannavino said. “I told her to run after him and get him back. She caught him on his bike a few blocks away. He thanked her, but had to leave. I hope that the next encounter is a very different one, so we can thank him duly.”
Looking ahead, the partnership between Scannavino’s grassroots initiative and DiCaprio’s global advocacy underscores a new model for environmental action—one where adversity becomes opportunity, and unlikely alliances can drive real change for the world’s most precious ecosystems.
