Brazil, like the rest of the world, constantly faces various factors that threaten the biodiversity of its regions; for this reason throughout the territory arise initiatives of people and entities that want to contribute with the preservation of the species and the incredible natural wealth of the country. Some of these projects have also been established to generate interaction and offer accommodation to foreign visitors who seek to live adventures in the Brazilian territory and at the same time get to know, learn and participate in the conservation programs of fauna and flora developed by the respective research centers. Today we want to talk to you about three of them, which we have known very well and we’ve seen how they perform an amazing job in their environment as well as offering very interesting experiences for travelers.

SERRA BONITA RESERVE

The Serra Bonita Reserveis a private, pioneering and innovative conservation company that protects submontane forests in southern Bahia. Its goal is to protect the Brazilian Atlantic Forest through a consortium of several rural owners whose properties contain RPPN (private reserves). In total, they currently protect 2,500 ha, the second largest protected area in the Central Atlantic Biodiversity Corridor.

The RPPN contained in each property is administered by the Uiraçu Institute, through agreements with the owners, Clemira O. Souza (MsC, Educator) and Vitor O. Becker (PhD, Entomologist). In addition to their key role in the development and management of the Uiraçu Institute, Clemira and Vitor welcome visitors who come to appreciate the beauty of Serra Bonita or to conduct research. The Reserve offers facilities for field work, research, studies, conferences and meetings, and activities for nature and academic observers. There is a lodge with eight suites, a student dormitory and several trails. To develop scientific research or courses, the Reserve offers (with prior request) an auditorium, four laboratories, a preparation room for collected material, two collection rooms, a scientific library, equipment and research material. There is also a beautiful full view of the region from the top of the mountain!

PANTHERA PROJECT

The Panthera Jaguar Corridor Initiativeis the only conservation program that seeks to protect jaguars in a range of six million km2. In partnership with governments, corporations and local communities, the Panthera Initiative is working to preserve the genetic integrity of the jaguar by connecting and protecting jaguar populations in human landscapes from northern Mexico to Argentina. Country by country, the Panthera scientists begin by mapping the presence of the jaguar and the corridors through which they live and move. A broker may include a cattle ranch, a canal development, a citrus grove or someone’s backyard. Using this data, Panthera partners with governments and corporations to support land developments that are economically profitable and ecologically sustainable, allowing safe passage of jaguars and other wildlife.

In Brazil, specifically, the Panthera project is located in the Pantanal area where it carries out these monitoring, research and educational activities in partnership with lodgings such as Pantanal Jaguar Camp, so that visitors from all over the world can come to live an intensive adventure of observation and knowledge of the elusive jaguar and projects for its conservation.

REGUA PROJECT

The Ecological Reserve of Guapiaçu is an NGO with more than 15 years of existence, located in the eastern portion of the Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. Its mission is the protection of the forest remnants of the Atlantic Forest and its biodiversity in the upper basin of the Guapiaçu River preventing deforestation, hunting and the predatory exploitation of natural resources. In addition, it is committed to restoring native habitats, reintroducing locally extinct species, inventorying local biodiversity and promoting environmental education with the regional community.

At the same time, REGUA has sought to motivate people in Brazil and around the world to visit, get to know and support the project to ensure its long-term financial viability and become a demonstration site to inspire new conservation efforts in the Atlantic Forest. So in 2004 the hotel opens its doors offering high quality accommodation for visitors to explore the Atlantic Forest here. The lodge is small, with ten rooms, a relaxed and informal atmosphere, and is situated with a dramatic backdrop of the restored wetlands and wooded mountains of the Serra dos Órgãos. Guests have access to trails in the humid forest of low and high altitude and in the reserve wetlands. REGUA also makes excursions to a variety of other Atlantic Forest habitats for bird species that are not found here.