ABOUT US
In 2001, Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA), the independent environmental NGO Associação Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) was formed with the institutional mission of conserving and protecting the Atlantic Forest of the Guapiaçu River catchment area. It's first land purchase was from the Locke family, who had for many years protected the forest remnants of their rural property in the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu, state of Rio de Janeiro.
Landscape of degraded area resulting from the extraction of wood from the former Fazenda do Carmo (REGUA Collection).
The old Carmo farm (which was transformed into REGUA) was acquired by the great-grandfather of Nicholas Locke (REGUA's current manager), Hilmar Werner, in 1907, becoming a state reference in innovative agricultural production, commercialization of hardwoods and production of cachaça. The name Fazenda do Carmo refers to the Carmelite monks who left Rio de Janeiro in the mid-eighteenth century, crossing the Guanabara Bay and going up the Guapiaçu River to the last point of navigability, where they settled to begin their evangelization project until their exit at the end of the 19th century.
In the 1970s, Fazenda do Carmo was divided between Olga, Nora and Gerda, daughters of Hilmar Werner, who started to have their areas managed by their respective heirs. In 1995, with the aim of starting conservation work, an Avifauna survey was requested, in terms of bioindicators, from two specialists from the United Kingdom. After two years of research, they had a list of 400 species and this kicked off the development of the REGUA project. In 2001, the environmental NGO Associação Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) was formed with the institutional mission of conserving and protecting the Atlantic Forest of the Guapiaçu River catchment area.
First reforestation project at REGUA in 2006. Reconstruction of an old flooded environment (REGUA Collection).
Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) - © Vitor Marigo
With the aim of achieving financial sustainability, REGUA also has a lodge that is highly sought after by nature lovers and birdwatchers from all over the world. With 487 species of birds to be found in this region. REGUA also offers accommodation and meals at more affordable prices for university students and participants in courses and workshops focused on biology and related areas. Currently, 20 higher education institutions have a partnership with the Reserve and more than 120 scientific articles have already been published.
Several programmes have been developed for REGUA to reach this objective, among them the restoration of degraded habitats, the control of hunting and predatory exploitation of natural resources through the daily patrol of park rangers in the forests, and scientific research. There have also been projects to reintroduce locally extinct fauna and flora species, with emphasis on the Southeastern Curassow (Crax blumenbachii), the Jacutinga (Aburria jacutinga) and the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), with the support of different research institutions, and the environmental education work with neighbouring communities.
REGUA's lodge © REGUA
Young ranger programme - © REGUA
School visitation - © REGUA
Focused on environmental education, in 2004 REGUA created the “Young Ranger” program, with the aim of raising awareness and changing the perception of young people in the surrounding area on issues related to the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. Young people aged 10-15, who are residents of the local communities of Areal, Estreito, Guapiaçu, Matumbo and Santo Amaro, enrolled in Elementary Schools, are the target audience of this programme and meetings take place once a week, from 14:00h to 16:00h, under the tutelage of the Coordinator of Environmental Education. Basic themes such as the importance of recycling, the reintroduction of species, the presentation of the rich local flora and fauna, the forest restoration programme, as well as predatory hunting are covered in this initiative. Artistic expression classes are also developed in order to enhance the learning of the content. Practical activities, such as the collection and analysis of the water quality of the REGUA wetlands, visits to the Nursery and to local communities to deliver a newsletter called the Green Bulletin are also frequent. We have found that these actions have reinforced the importance of protecting our region. REGUA also receives many public and private schools in the municipality to strengthen learning through field experience.
A milestone in the history of REGUA concerns the Guapiaçu Project, a programme supported by Petrobras Socioambiental, which took place at REGUA from 2013 to 2022. This boosted REGUA in gaining scale in the actions already developing, as well as helped to develop new experience. Thus, in addition to doubling the number of restored areas, the Guapiaçu Project created an integrated environmental education programme, strengthened the relationship with the local community through social mobilisation, reforested areas belonging to partner owners around the Reserve, carried out a survey of new areas for restoration and supported the Refauna project, with the reintroduction of lowland tapirs. Currently, we have other important partnerships, which take place through WWF-Brasil, which has already restored 20 hectares between 2021 and 2022 and has the objective of restoring another 30 hectares in the coming years, and with the International Institute for Sustainability (IIS), which will encourage enrichment activities with tree species and support fauna monitoring activities in areas already restored in the RPPN areas of REGUA.
WWF's Reforestation team - ©REGUA
REGUA's field team - © REGUA
Seedlings in the nursery - © REGUA
REGUA is now one of the largest restorers of forest ecosystems in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It stands out in this scenario with 470 hectares of restored areas and 700,000 seedlings planted, with a diversity of more than 500 species. The REGUA nursery has a production capacity of 100,000 seedlings per year. In it, most species have their seeds collected in the local forests, which highlights the importance of genetic recovery for their conservation, especially those considered rare and endangered. One of REGUA's main objectives with forest restoration, in addition to maintaining biodiversity and preserving species, is to contribute to the conservation of the upper Guapi-Macacu watershed (which encompasses the two main rivers in the region, Guapiaçu and Macacu), since this is an important human supply unit, responsible for supplying water to millions of people who inhabit part of the metropolitan region of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
In 2014, REGUA was accepted as an Advanced Post of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve (RBMA), the largest biosphere reserve in forested areas on the planet, effectively contributing to the establishment of a harmonious relationship between human societies and the environment in the Atlantic Forest area. REGUA also participates in the Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest, together with over 100 institutions from different sectors of society, the Mata Atlântica Network (RMA), the RPPNs Network and the Association of Seed and Seedling Producers of the State of Rio de Janeiro (For Seedlings Rio).
Regional units of the Atlantic Forest Pact - © REGUA
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Wetlands - © REGUA
REGUA had its Management Plan approved in 2021 and is proud of its trajectory. Its recognition takes place through the joint work of motivated and committed employees who are part of its team. REGUA had and still has important partners such as Petrobras, the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Trust, World Land Trust, WWF-Brasil, SOS Mata Atlântica, DOB Ecology, Saving Nature, Conservation International, Iniciativa Verde, Ecosia, IIS, INEA, Projeto Refauna, ASA, AMBEV, Três Picos State Park, among others, and several research institutions in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
REGUA is currently chaired by Nicholas Locke, great-grandson of Hilmar Werner, and vice-president Raquel Locke, his wife. REGUA has been cultivating public and private partnerships in this challenging task of conservation and throughout its history, it has gradually acquired rural properties to integrate into the Reserve so that the fragmented forest can be connected.
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Nicholas e Raquel - © REGUA
2001
The NGO Associação REGUA obtained its CNPJ at the 2nd Notary Office of Cachoeiras de Macacu.
The Environmental Education Programme was initiated in local schools, together with the Young Guardians Programme, in partnership with the Golden Lion Tamarin Association and with financial support from CI (Conservation International).
2005-2008
Project for the Reintroduction of the Red-billed Curassow (Crax blumenbachii), in partnership with Crax Brasil, the University of São Carlos, and funded by the Wetlands Trust (United Kingdom).
2013
INEA officially approved the creation of REGUA’s first Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) (302 ha) by the IBIO Institute, with support from SOS Mata Atlântica.
2017-2019
Renewal of sponsorship from Petrobras Socioambiental. The Tapir Reintroduction Project was initiated through Refauna, and the reintroduction of Jacutinga birds through SAVE Brasil. INEA officially approved the creation of REGUA’s third Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) in the area known as "João Paulo."
2024
Launch of the Replântica Project in partnership with the University of Cologne (TH Köln) and renewal of the partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation for environmental education activities.
2002
The first forest rangers were hired.
The first land acquisition was made to become part of REGUA’s estate.
The Três Picos State Park (PETP) was created, overlapping areas of REGUA.
2008
Participation in the Avistar event, which attracts birdwatchers to the Baixada Fluminense region.
2013-2016
Sponsorship from Petrobras Socioambiental expanded the scope of forest restoration and environmental education, extending the programme throughout the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu.
2020-2022
Third phase of the Guapiaçu Project. Activities were suspended due to COVID-19.
2003
Acquisition of Fazenda São José, with facilities suitable for concentrating conservation activities and attracting the target audience of birdwatchers.
2010
SOS Mata Atlântica funded forest restoration in degraded areas of REGUA.
With renovations to the headquarters’ infrastructure, REGUA began to receive groups of university students and researchers.
2014
REGUA received recognition as an Advanced Station of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve.
2021
Approval of REGUA’s Management Plan. INEA officially approved the creation of REGUA’s fourth and fifth Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs). Technical and financial partnership with WWF for the restoration of 20 hectares.
2004
The wetland restoration project was initiated at Fazenda São José.
The Biomas Institute carried out a faunal survey, highlighting the good conservation status of the forest.
2011
Iniciativa Verde funded forest restoration in degraded areas of REGUA.
2015
INEA officially approved the creation of REGUA’s second Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) (35.2 ha) in the Santa Maria neighbourhood.
The first OFF (Fluminense Forest Observatory), organised by INEA and REGUA, attracted reforesters and an audience interested in ecological restoration.
2022
Partnership with the International Institute for Sustainability (IIS) for the enrichment of a 22-hectare area and renewal of the technical and financial partnership with WWF.
2005
Agreement with the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) for the preparation of the Agenda 21 of Cachoeiras de Macacu.
2012
The success of the forest restoration enabled funding from the Central Fluminense Mosaic for the expansion of REGUA’s nursery.
2016
The Alliance for Climate, Community, and Biodiversity approved the reforestation of 100 hectares as part of the Guapiaçu Grande Vida (GGV) project, sponsored by Petrobras.
2023
Initiation of the partnership and sponsorship with Mitsubishi Corporation for environmental education activities