Rainforest Trust’s Brazilian partner celebrates the tenth anniversary of their school-age education program.

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Designed to attract local students aged between 11 and 15 enrolled at nearby schools, REGUA’s Young Ranger Program offers tutorials on biodiversity conservation and social development, including field trips to reserves.

The students gain exposure to the wonders of the Atlantic Rainforest, the biodiversity contained within it, and Rainforest Trust’s work with REGUA to expand the reserve. They are true Rainforest Ambassadors.

In addition to the REGUA reserve, the Young Rangers visit multiple conservation parks in the region including Serra do Órgãos National Park and Três Picos State Park. This hands-on, real world experience instills an understanding of the area’s outstanding natural beauty and REGUA’s mission of long-term protection of the forests and biodiversity within them.

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As urban sprawl from nearby Rio de Janeiro threatens the surrounding area, protecting the crucial rainforest habitat of the Upper Guapiaçu River Basin becomes increasingly difficult. With Rainforest Trust’s support, REGUA currently safeguards 22,000 acres at the reserve and is currently expanding in an attempt to conserve the roughly 7% of Atlantic Rainforest that still exists.

After 12 years of steady growth, REGUA has established itself as one of the most influential conservation organizations in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state. With the support of Rainforest Trust, REGUA is purchasing an additional 455 acres to expand its reserve and provide much needed protection for endemic and endangered species, such as Pumas, Ocelots and the critically endangered Wooly Spider Monkey.

This purchase is part of a larger strategic plan to expand the reserve throughout the entire Guapiaçu Valley and reconnect forest fragments through the creation of new wildlife corridors.

Learn more about Rainforest Trust’s partnership with REGUA and Rainforest Ambassadors.