REGUA Forest Rangers Take Part in Roundtable Discussion at PUC-Rio

Foto: Acervo REGUA ©

On 17 July 2025, forest rangers Maurício and Messias, representatives of the Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve (REGUA), took part in the 5th Symposium on Ecological Restoration of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The event, aimed at the academic and technical community, annually brings together researchers, nursery managers, students, technicians, and other professionals involved in ecological restoration throughout the state.

As part of the programme, the REGUA representatives participated in a roundtable discussion entitled “Café + Prosa”, which sought to highlight the experiences of individuals directly engaged in restoration work. In an environment of dialogue and exchange, Maurício and Messias shared their personal and professional journeys, revealing the deep connection they have cultivated with the forest through years of dedicated fieldwork.

Photo: REGUA Archives ©

The session was marked by moments of profound learning and emotion. By recounting the challenges faced and milestones achieved in the process of restoring the Atlantic Forest, the rangers emphasised the vital importance of empirical knowledge and practical experience in shaping effective environmental recovery strategies.

Their participation in the symposium underscored the need to integrate both technical and traditional knowledge, and to recognise the value of those who contribute daily to the protection and regeneration of ecosystems.

In addition to enriching the discussion with their accounts, Maurício and Messias were acknowledged by the audience as key figures in the foundational work that sustains ecological restoration efforts in the Guapiaçu River Basin.