Timeline of Activities

2008
  • REGUA acquires properties of the 'Matumbo Gap'.
  • A second part of the Onofre Cunha Farm (13.5 ha) is acquired by REGUA.
  • 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 publishes the Cachoeiras de Macacu Case study for the Agenda 21 and presents it to the public.
  • With funding from the World Land Trust, REGUA plants 20,000 native trees species.
  • The REGUA website is completely rewritten and redesigned.
  • 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.
  • REGUA is invited to write its experience for the Congress on Private land conservation in Rio de Janeiro.
  • REGUA shares its experience in a Private Reserve congress in Belize with other NGOs from South America.
  • The first young apprentice guide is trained to assist ornithological visits.
  • IBAMA approves the release of a further 20 Red-billed Curassows Crax blumenbachii, 20 Black-fronted Piping-Guans Pipile jacutinga and the first 20 Solitary Tinamous Tinamus solitarius at REGUA.
  • 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 REGUA.
  • 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.
  • 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 is awarded a management agreement with the adjacent Schincariol farm (2,500 ha).
  • 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 develops a Young Rangers Programme for 20 local students following changes in federal government education curriculum policies.
  • 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
  • The Sao Jose Farm (405 ha) is purchased by REGUA.
  • 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
  • With the creation of the 47,000 ha Três Picos State Park, REGUA is granted a management agreement permitting administration of property with the IEF, RJ State Forestry Institute.
  • 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 NGO Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) is registered.
  • 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.