Olympic Forest Reserve Saving Atlantic Forest in Brazil
Saving habitats Saving species www.worldlandtrust.org www.worldlandtrust.org
www.worldlandtrust.org
Saving the Wilderness, Creating OlympicSaving Forest Reserve in Brazil The Atlantic Forest of Brazil is one of the world’s most threatened regions and vitally important because of its amazing biodiversity. Because so much of the Atlantic Forest has been lost in the past - only 7 per cent surviving - many of the species of animals and plants are endangered and consequently need protected habitat for them to survive and increase their numbers.
Our partner:
REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu)
The Puma is an icon of the Atlantic Forest, yet there are thought to be less than 1,000 animals surviving in Brazil. The Woolly Spider Monkey (or Muriqui) is classed as Endangered; surviving only in small, isolated populations
World Land Trust (WLT) has been working with our Brazilian partner, REGUA, since 2005, funding land purchase, Keepers of the Wild (reserve rangers) and tree planting in areas where forest had been lost. Today REGUA owns and protects 18,000 acres (7,285 hectares) and WLT is hoping to raise funds to add an additional 220 acres (89.5 hectares) of vitally important forest to the reserve.
Olympic Forest Reserve Located within the Guapiaçu watershed, the Paloma Coelho property is an important section of the forested Tres Picos State Park still in private hands. WLT is fundraising to purchase this parcel of land during the year of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro; it will be called the Olympic Forest Reserve.
Protected by Keepers of the Wild Recognising the importance of protecting the reserves, WLT launched Keepers of the Wild. The funds raised enable REGUA to employ rangers to prevent illegal hunting and habitat damage within the reserve and surrounding area. These reserve rangers live in the local community, and carrying out conservation work, research, and community outreach.
Olympic Forest Reserve Appeal Target: £40,000 We hope to reach this target by the end of the Olympics on 21 August 2016. Please help us in our Olympian effort
www.worldlandtrust.org
Conservation project sites The reserve in context
The REGUA Reserve is marked with a red dot on the map below right. The large map shows the properties owned and managed by REGUA; the area marked in red is the Olympic Forest
The natural rainforests in Paloma Coelho contain a wealth of trees, palms and ferns with sub canopy. The property also protects the streams that feed the Guapiaçu River. Evidence of hunting indicates the presence of large mammal species and it is an excellent site for birds, many of which are endemic to the region. This beautiful upper Guapiaçu valley has seen a rapid rise in urbanisation. The new tarmac road to Guapiaçu village has brought with it an influx of people, many of whom have chosen to build weekend homes in the region, clearing areas of forest in the process. The most effective way to ensure the long-term protection of the Atlantic Forest of the upper Guapiaçu valley is to purchase as many land plots as possible to incorporate into the reserve.
Species to save Recent studies show that 38 of the 69 severely endangered mammal species of Brazil are found in the Atlantic Forest. Animals such as Puma, Ocelot, Sloth and Woolly Spider Monkey desperately need safe forest habitat. 60 endangered bird species, have been recorded. All 16 of Brazil’s endangered amphibian species and 13 of the 20 endangered reptile species also occur here.
Help us turn the Paloma Coelho property (above) into the Olympic Forest Reserve. Only seven per cent remains of the Atlantic Forest
www.worldlandtrust.org
www.worldlandtrust.org
How You Can of Help The Atlantic Forest Brazil: see it for yourself at REGUA Welcoming visitors at the Bird Lodge With such a richness and wealth of unique wildlife, this is one of the best places in the world to see tropical forests first hand The lodge on the reserve provides a perfect rainforest retreat. Situated on a small hill overlooking the newly restored wetlands, with stunning views across the Tres Picos (Three Peaks) National The visitor Lodge and Villa at REGUA are Park. The lodge is only two hours in a beautiful place to relax and see the drive from Rio airport; collection can rainforests that WLT supporters are be arranged if requested. helping to save in Brazil If you would like to know more please contact Nicholas Locke (in Brazil) by email at: aregua@terra.com.br. Further information can also be obtained from the REGUA website (see below) or from Alan Martin (UK Representative) at alanjmart@gmail.com. The Saffron Toucanet, found only in the Atlantic Forest, is a spectacular bird. Males have a golden head and red rump. The bill is relatively short for a toucan but has distinctive red patches at the base; the eye is yellow surrounded by bare, red facial skin. They are threatened by loss of their Atlantic Forest habitat and by illegal collection for the pet and cage-bird trade. They are found in the Olympic Forest Reserve
Photo credits: Cover: Saffron Toucanet © Gustavo Pedro, page 2: Pume © Shutterstock, Woolly Spider Monkey © REGUA; Page 3: Back page: as cover
World Land Trust Blyth House, Bridge Street, Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8AB, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1986 874422 Fax: +44 (0) 1986 874425 Email: info@worldlandtrust.org World Land Trust is a registered charity: 1001291
www.carbonbalancedpaper.com Using Carbon Balanced Paper is a simple way to reduce the carbon impact of your marketing communications, and supports WLT’s land protection projects at the same time. Ask your printer to specify Carbon Balanced Paper.
Designed by www.wearedrab.co.uk
Follow World Land Trust on social media
04/16
www.regua.org