Locke with Gilmar property owner © REGUA

Crab-eating Fox found at REGUA © Wikimedia

Restored habitat at REGUA © REGUA

June 19, 2014

With Rainforest Trust support, Brazilian partner REGUA successfully purchased a forested 38-acre property, increasing the Atlantic Rainforest reserve’s size to over 17,500 acres.

The acquired tract, known as the Gilmar property, was identified several years ago as an important objective in REGUA’s strategic plan to expand rainforest conservation in the Guapiaçu Valley.

Famed for its rugged mountains and natural beauty, the valley has experienced increased pressure from developers in recent years. Only 40 miles away from Rio de Janeiro, it has become an attractive retreat for the city’s elite. As a result, the construction and purchase of vacation homes now threatens the valley’s ecological integrity.

“With electricity and a bridge crossing the river, the little house on the Gilmar property was a prime location for those wanting a retreat off the beaten track. However, REGUA maintained an on-going conversation with the owner, and the dialogue finally paid off. We acquired the land in the nick of time,” said Nicholas Locke, REGUA’s project manager.

For REGUA staff, the housing demand has translated into an increased urgency to expand the reserve. At the same, the difficulty of doing so has risen. To ensure that the reserve continues to grow, Rainforest Trust is currently assisting REGUA to enlarge its boundaries by 1,128 acres.

Located adjacent to the reserve, the Gilmar property will serve as a buffer zone and provide critical habitat for REGUA’s wildlife, including Pumas, Ocelots, and Woolly Spider Monkeys.

“The Gilmar property can now start reverting back to forest, and by enabling it to do so, we set an important precedent. The general trend within the Atlantic Rainforest, especially near major towns, is small scale fragmentation and increased forest destruction,” added Locke.

With 93% of Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest already destroyed, the once-massive forest is now one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems. The REGUA reserve protects a critical piece of the remaining rainforest and is a stronghold for wildlife, with nearly 80 mammal species living within its borders.

REGUA has also made a significant commitment to being a leader in land stewardship by restoring the ecological health of the properties it owns and manages. At present, 30 acres of pastureland have been converted into marshland and over 40,000 trees have been planted.