RESERVA ECOLOGICA de GUAPIAÇU, Rio de Janeiro ,
BRAZIL
Presentation, Belize 19th /23rd May 2008
Objectives
Reserva Ecologica De Guapiaçu (REGUA) is a conservation organisation working to preserve
the Atlantic Rainforest in the Upper Guapiaçu River basin, located within the watersheds of
Serra do Mar in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
REGUA adopts a holistic approach towards conservation. It saw the necessity of changing the
perception of the local community members towards the surrounding forests thereby contributing
to the conservation to the valley. A set of sustainable activities were devised, these being
protection, education, research, landscape restoration and income generation.
Funding Sources
REGUA receives funding from individual donors, organisations, and generates part of its own
income through eco-tourism.
Prices are in Brazilian Reals ( 1 dollar = 2.8 reais in 2004, currently 1 dollar = 1.7 reais)
500000
Raised funds,
BART,WLT &
private
Tourism
400000
300000
200000
100000
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
7
Break down of Costs
Prices are in Brazilian Reals
300000
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
Sa
la
rie
s
an
d
Ta
x
Se es
Tr
an rvic
e
Tr sp
av or s
ta
el
an tion
d
In Vis
fo
i
rm t s
M
at
a
i
Eq
nt ion
en
ui
pm
an
en
M ce
t m at
ai eria
nt
en l
an
ce
2005
2006
2007
Developments
Measures of Success:
Activity
Land under REGUA administration
Employees
Research projects
Species counts of birds (bio-indication)
Visitors
Trees planted
Habitats restored
2001
2500ha
3
1
400
30 bednights
0
0
School visitors
Young Rangers
Members
Volunteers
Day visitors
0
0
3
0
0
2
2007
6700ha
21
9
460
808 bednights
18,500
2 (wetland and
forest planting)
350
20
29
38
200
2008 est.
7000
21
10
423
1000 +
38 000
2
500
18
31
45
250
Key updates since the last symposium:
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Further land purchases: Purchased 30 ha Onofre Cunha shares and in process of purchasing
277 ha Matumbo Gap, funds from IUCN/WLT/ABC . Identified a further 2000 hectares for
fundraising.
Lowlands, 3000 hectares could be turned into a drinking water reservoir for Rio de Janeiro
city eliminating the necessity of purchasing this expensive area. It creates a successful
protection barrier.
Education and outreach: Regua has ceceived limited school visits. Potential evident as
private donation for transport in 2007 resulted in 4 School visits. Increased community
visitation for walks in the reserve. Increased environmental awareness in the public.
Continued programme with the REGUA Young Rangers.
Ecological services: An extra 3 hectare wetland created and 30,000 trees planted since 2006
Carbon sequestration: not available in Brazil for premium tree species planting . REGUA has
received funds from individual donors through Carbon Footprinting.
Tourism: Increased from 600 bed nights/2006 to estimated 1000 in 2008. Direct correlation
between biodiversity / quality of the habitat with visitor levels. Direct correlation betweeen
increased visitation and publicity such as the UK birdfair and websites. Increased receipts
inc. charges for guiding result from a recognized international reputation..
Monitoring techniques: The continual presence of the REGUA rangers, vistors, volunteers,
researchers and tourists is instrumental in reducing presence of undesired visitors such as
hunters.
REGUA has increased partnerships with Universities to receive more researchers and 9 Phd
projects are currently under way, with another 3 possibilities funding permitted.
REGUA has received over 50 international volunteers benefitting REGUA with their
academic experience. Their intergration with the local community has been instumental to
REGUA’s success in community acceptance. Both students and researchers present
Powerpoint presentations to show what they are doing to REGUA staff and visitors and at the
local schools.
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Map of Reserve
Tilted Google image showing the topography and vegetational cover:
The land owned by REGUA identifying prospective partners and areas to acquire.
REGUA´s total land area is currently 6.766 ha. REGUA members own 3250 consituted by the
Lemgruber farm 750ha and the 2,500ha Schincariol farm. The Asssociation owns 3.467ha,
including the Donna Maria farm of 600ha purchased in 2001, the Serra do Mar farm of 1.650ha
purchased in 2001, the São Jose farm of 405ha purchased in 2003, the João Paulo farm of 785ha
purchased in 2006, the 27ha Onofre Cunha farm in 2007 and the IUCN funded 49 ha farm in
2008 .
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Problems
Since the last syposium REGUA has grown from strength to strength in most activities. However
there have been several problems, such as :
- The strengthening Real which has risen from 2.8 reias to 1.7 reais per dollar. Consequently
everything is Brazil has become very expensive and the project costs more in real terms. The
tourism prices need to be re-evaluated but rising charges diminish tourism numbers.
- Increasing purchases within the valley have caused an increase in land prices. These have
settled at a realistic value of 2000 reais/ per hectare/ 1100US/ha or 220 pounds /acre.
Property price negociation is still a long process.
- There are less larger sized properties available for purchase in the valley. Properties have
become smaller and relatively more expensive. There is fortunately no competition from
other land purchasers for larger properties. Smaller properties receive interested property
developers for weeeknd housing resulted in an increased value
- In spite of REGUA being partially located within the Três Picos park, the current legislation
is not capable of fully protecting the forests, and the purchase of areas with in the park
boundaries is seen as vital importance for the long term sustainability of the park.
- With increased tourism and planting in the restoration programme, more staff are needed.
- Finding funds to help in the education programme and especially transport has been difficult.
Perhaps REGUA has to go to the schools with a presentation, but this does not achieve the
same results
- The last problem is really related to overburdoning the project with work and financing
responsibilities. Instead of becoming too large , the people involved need to reflect,
undertake a self evaluation and see whether everyone in the project is content and stimulated
to continue within the same objectives.
Future Plans
The REGUA conservation proposal recognizes that its’ work is on a small scale. It aims to build
a solid base, the development of a practical model and obtaining success with its activities .
Located within a known “Hotspot” ultimately working to conserve as much nature as possible.
It seeks not to enter in conflict with the people living here but side by side changing their
perspectives and asking them to share in the responsibility of looking after what they have
around.
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Specific plans :
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Purchasing more land to define land use and tenureship within the park and adjacent areas.
Increasing the number of employees, in particular the rangers patrolling the land
Improving the facilities, to become a known conservation centre , partnerships with the local
Universities and a reference for workshops conferences and other information sharing events.
Increasing the education programme to offer REGUA as a destination for school trips
Plant 100 000 trees within the next 5 years
Extending the research and volunteer programmes
Increase the field day experiences for visiting children through activities such as pond
dipping, bird watching etc
Offer a REGUA Young ranger web site for the children involved in the young ranger
programme
Working towards financial self sustainability through the promotion of eco-tourism.
Increase tourism and work with 2500 bed nights fully intergrated with the community and
more local guides with lectures in the evenings with the reseachers and volunteeers
Increase the training of local guides within the eco-tourism activity
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