Timeline of Activities

2010		REGUA receives record number of visitors from around the world to look at its work in ecological restoration of its Atlantic Rainforest. REGUA completes its ninth year of its education program. REGUA receives several agreements for seed sourcing for plant nurseries and the COMPERJ CEDAE in helping with their own reforestation programmes. REGUA receives many students wishing to complete university degrees in Biology and Botany. REGUA receives financial support from Puro Coffee and the World Land Trust to purchase the second Lemgruber property of a further 165 hectares of quality forest. REGUA plants a record 32,500 seedlings of native trees, planted 3,000 trees species Tabebuia cassinoides - a very rare wet forest species living in flooded areas funded by Chester Zoo in England. REGUA submits a project for the Petrobras Environmental grant award that include studies of carbon sequestration in terrestrial and aquatic area, but despite that the project was approved, it was not awarded. REGUA closes the year administrating an area of approximately 7,200 ha with 30 people working full time. REGUA closes its nine years with 105,000 trees planted, active partnerships with the Cachoeiras de Macacu Gov`t, UERJ, UFRJ and the RJ Natural History Museum actively participating in the Restoration Network of the Mata Atlantica, awaiting the decree awarding RPPN status by INEA, which would be the first RPPN in the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu, heading into 2011 full of plans.
2009		In its second year of activities of formal seed collecting in the reserve, a partnership with the Reforestation Project of the River Basin Macacu, a training course was organized for 22 participants aimed at the PETP and REGUA`s park rangers and Detainees (manpower) for the Reforestation Project of the Macacu River Basin. REGUA receives funding for the creation of 340 ha of RPPN in the adjacent area of PETP, a partnership project with the IBio and funded by SOS Mata Atlântica thus ensuring the protection of the Três Picos buffer zone. REGUA receives a contract for the planting of 20,000 seedlings of native forest with SOS Mata Atlântica in the High Matumbo area and receive resources to build a plant nursery from the Central Mosaic Fluminense fund of Conservation units. REGUA receives from the Cachoeiras de Macacu municipality, the prestigious prize for the protection of the Macacu rivers. Funds received from BIAZA (British and Allied Irish Zoo and Aquarium fund) and the World Lant Trust for the purchase of the 670 ha Lemgruber farm. REGUA's last release of 20 Black-fronted Piping-Guans Pipile jacutinga in partnership with Crax Brasil occurs and the reintroduction project ends.
2008		The Agenda 21 case study is completed with a publication on the municipality's desires, the Forum is formerly implanted and Cachoeiras de Macacu has its demands within a plan of action. A new REGUA website is inaugurated. During the Congress of the Private Land Conservation in Rio de Janeiro, REGUA is asked to relate the experience of conservation in recent years. REGUA shares its experience in a Private Reserve congress in Belize with other NGOs from South America. With support from the Fund for Tropical forests of the Gulf Coast Observatory (USA), REGUA is able to purchase 35 ha of valuable lowland forest named the Onofre Cunha reserve. With support from the World Land Trust, the Netherlands IUCN Small Grants and ABC in the United States, REGUA initiates the purchase of 12 small properties in the High Matumbo, a total of 300 ha. With funding from the World Land Trust, the REGUA restoration programme continues with the planting of 20,000 native trees. REGUA releases 20 Red-billed Curassows Crax blumenbachii and 20 Black-fronted Piping-Guans Pipile jacutinga in partnership with Crax Brasil. REGUA is elected head of the Scientific council of the Três Picos Governing Council. REGUA assists IEF, RJ State Forestry institute in increasing the Três Picos Park. REGUA and IEF, RJ State Forestry Institute make a cooperation agreement to gather seeds at REGUA and supply the State Government programme for replanting the Macacu river edges. REGUA institutes an 'open day' to work with the community with 250 people present. The REGUA education programme receives 323 students and 30 teachers from 16 different schools. Natural History Museum professor initiates a study on Lepidoptera at REGUA. An RJ State University student starts a masters study on ecology of the Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth at REGUA. An RJ State University student starts a doctorate study on the Broad-snouted Caiman in the REGUA wetlands. A survey of mammals at REGUA is started by an RJ Federal University student. REGUA initiates its litter recycling programme. REGUA promotes a course with the Rio State University (UFF) on the hydrographic basin. Tourism at REGUA grows rapidly with Guapi Assu Bird Lodge receiving 1350 bednights and 400 day visitors. REGUA hosts the IUCN small partners programme meeting in South America. The REGUA volunteer programme receives 33 international volunteers. The number of staff employed by REGUA from the local community reaches 22.
2007		REGUA participates in the Três Picos State Park Governing Council. REGUA acquires a part of the Onofre Cunha Farm (13.5 ha). The importance of the 450 ha area known as the 'Matumbo gap' is identified as a corridor linking REGUA with the Lemgruber property and initiates discussion with IUCN/Netherlands small grants fund, World Land Trust and ABC. REGUA guest Neil Burchett takes a clear photograph of the Woolly Spider Monkey Brachyteles arachnoides proving a healthy population present. REGUA writes a paper for the scientific magazine Neotropical Primates entitled Further sightings of the Muriqui population, Brachyteles arachnoides, at Reserva Ecologica de Guapiaçu. 6,500 trees are planted as part of REGUA's reforestation programme. The REGUA general assembly elects Nicholas and Raquel Locke for a further mandate of six years. RJ Federal University students start an amphibian study in remaining forests near REGUA. OrquidaRio undertakes an orchid survey at REGUA. REGUA voted a member of the Cachoeiras de Macacu Agricultural Council. Guapi Assu Bird Lodge is represented at the British Birdwatching Fair for the first time. Our Guapi Assu Bird Lodge gets its own website - www.guapiassubirdlodge.com. REGUA received 35 volunteers and 350 day visitors during the year. Guapi Assu Bird Lodge receives 800 bednights. The REGUA education programme receives 218 school children and 18 professors from 11 different schools as part of its education programme, and 18 Young ranger are approved. IBAMA approves the release of a further 20 Red-billed Curassows Crax blumenbachii, and the first 20 Black-fronted Piping-Guans Pipile jacutinga at REGUA. The REGUA volunteer programme receives 35 international volunteers. Leipzig University and Cologne Applied Science University students undertake scientific experiments at REGUA.
2006		The João Paulo Farm (785 ha) is purchased by REGUA. Conservation International awards TEREVIVA and REGUA funds to write Water and the Environment for drawing community attention to the protection of streams in the local part of the Três Picos catchment. REGUA submits its environmental education programme to local authorities, and turns to onsite education visits with a permanent education officer. REGUA receives funding from the Rufford Foundation for its education programme and the 3rd year of the Young Rangers Programme, with 16 students enrolled. RJ State University student confirms the presence of the threatened Woolly Spider Monkey or Muriqui Brachyteles arachnoides at REGUA. REGUA builds a nursery with capacity for 20,000 seedlings a year for its reforestation programme. Brazilian Ministry of the Environment awards REGUA and the Bio Atlántico Institute funds to study the Guapi/Macacu APA (Area of Environmental Protection). The REGUA education programme receives 380 students, 15 professors from 14 local schools. Guapi Assu Bird Lodge receives 599 bednights and 250 visitors during the year. REGUA receives its first international volunteers. REGUA plants 5,700 trees in its reforestation programme. RJ State University students undertake scientific studies of the wetland creation and development. The first Red-billed Curassows Crax blumenbachii are reintroduced at REGUA.
2005		REGUA starts a school visitation programme. 55 teachers and 262 students from 10 schools visit. The 2nd year of REGUA's Young Rangers programme sees 18 local students enrolled. IBAMA approves the reintroduction of the Red-billed Curassow Crax blumenbachii project at REGUA. REGUA creates a 10 ha artificial wetland for restoration and education purposes. BIOMAS Institute and RJ State University undertake a rapid appraisal of the amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals at REGUA. REGUA initiates its reforestation programme by planting 6,300 trees. REGUA is invited to the WWF workshop "WWF Serra do Mar Eco-region" to discuss strategic planning in the Biome. REGUA contributes to the publication of Organ Mountain Range, its History and its Orchids, a book by David Miller. Two more rangers are employed by REGUA, increasing the staff to 12.
2004		REGUA submits to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Conservation of Conservation International a project that continues the involvement of adjacent schools and inaugurates the training program for young environmentalists called: Young Ranger programme. The first diagnosis of the area's biodiversity is conducted by the State University of Rio de Janeiro and Instituto BIOMAS. The neighbouring land owner Schincariol Soft drink Company signs a cooperation agreement with REGUA to monitor their 2,700 ha property. REGUA invites Brazilian ornithologist Fábio Olmos to conduct a survey of the bird species at REGUA. This results in REGUA being mentioned in BirdLife International's regional IBA programme. FNMA - Brazilian Environment National Fund, approves REGUA's Municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu Agenda 21 sustainable development programme. REGUA starts receiving international visitors into it's refurbished Guapi Assu Bird Lodge.
2003		REGUA produces its second Management Plan for the institution founded on the consolidation of its conservation programmes. REGUA submits a project to the Federal government (FNMA) together with Cachoeiras de Macacu Municipality to develop its Agenda 21 case study receiving approval. The Sao Jose farm of 535 ha is purchased with support from the Leventis Foundation. REGUA publishes its environmental education programme and a local municipal school capacity building workshop follows. REGUA invites Biologist Eduardo Rubião to coordinate protection and research, establishing a 32 km trail network, survey work and monitoring programme. This produces the first list of fauna at REGUA attracting scientific attention. RJ State University undertook a complete survey of the amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals at REGUA resulting in a publication. REGUA's photograph of a Puma Felis concolor is published in the national newspaper. Conservation International and Golden Lion Tamarin Foundation fund an environmental education programme at REGUA.
2002		The Três Picos State Park was decreed and REGUA formalizes a technical cooperation agreement with the RJ State Forestry Institute (IEF) for its overlapping areas. REGUA purchases the Manuel Alexandre Farm of 430 ha with the support of Wetlands Trust, England. REGUA starts a proposal for conservation with programmes in protection and monitoring with three local guards, environmental education with a permanent teacher, restoration, research and sustainable tourism with three other employees. Conservation International funds the REGUA teacher training course with 23 teachers involved. REGUA initiates a cooperation agreement with the University Maria Theresa of Niteroi/RJ and University Serra des Orgãos in Teresopolis/RJ for students studying at the Reserve. REGUA employs four more rangers.
2001		The Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) is established in the third district of Cachoeiras de Macacu municipality, as a non-profit association with a proposal for the conservation of biodiversity of the Atlantic Rainforest of the Upper Rio Guapiaçu watershed. The Donna Maria Farm (600 ha) and the Serra de Mar Farm (1,650 ha) are purchased by REGUA. REGUA receives a study group from the Rio de Janeiro Natural History Museum studying Arachnidae. Two rangers are employed by REGUA. REGUA invites the Carlos Lemgruber (owner of the 750 ha Lemgruber Farm) to become a member. The REGUA education programme is initiated in the local community.
Pre- 2001		Visit by Stephen Knapp and Andy Foster to develop a bird list revealing the significant biodiversity and quality habitat of the Locke property in Guapiaçu. Support gained from Keith Bromley of The Bromley Trust, and the World Land Trust. Preliminary visits to set up the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) with local land owners and the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Trust (BART) headed by Sir Ian Prance in the UK to support REGUA. Created a wetland (the Small Wetland) of 3 ha.