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Organisation’s aim: To conserve the Atlantic Forest of the upper Guapiaçu river basin, near the city of Rio de Janeiro. Threatened habitat is being saved through purchasing privately owned pieces of land to extend the reserve, planting native tree species, and allowing the wildlife to return.
REGUA was officially formed in 2001 by Nicholas Locke. The reserve was originally a farm, which had been in the Locke family since 1915. When Nicholas became the owner he was keen to create a reserve as he witnessed the ongoing devastation of the forests around him. He continues to restore forest and wetland that had been lost previously and is buying more forest as funds become available, to add to the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA).
Alan Martin, a former World Land Trust (WLT) council member, is secretary of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Trust (BART), which has been supporting REGUA since its formation. Alan first introduced REGUA to WLT and this led to Kirsty Burgess, then WLT’s Programmes Manager, making a site visit. She was impressed both by the organisation and the habitat being conserved.
This resulted in a partnership and a year later, the first land purchase funded by WLT. REGUA now owns and protects over 18,000 acres. The Guapiaçu Bird Lodge offers excellent accommodation for those wanting a rainforest experience only 100 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro.