Every citizen is responsible for the environment. To get this message across, the Brazilian Government is pushing all elements of society to act greener, restricting parameters for pollution and investing in green business. Among these initiatives is the establishment of the new conservation units, where private landowners and companies are allowed to join the National Conservation Units System (SNUC). Moreover, among the types of conservation units, there is the Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), a natural reserve with a perpetual lease: once an area is given the status of RPPN in the Real Estate Register Office, it can not be downgraded. For an area to get this title however, it has to fall into one of the following categories:
- Have biodiversity importance;
- Have landscape importance;
- Have some characteristic that justifies this procedure (such as having species in danger of extinction or a much-damaged ecological community).
There are nearly a half-million hectares of privately-owned land protected by federal and state laws in Brazil. On the one hand, this initiative restricts the use of the land. No longer are exploitative practices allowed and the areas must be recovered and maintained with private investment. On the other hand, the Government invests in the RPPN program making specific funding accessible to property owners. Although exploitative practices are forbidden, new activities are encouraged, among them leisure trips, scientific projects, cultural and educational activities, and ecotourism. Furthermore, there is a modest tax reduction and land owners have privileged access to rural credit and can apply for financial support from NGO's and environmental funds.
The RPPNs are having a great impact on society. A naturally preserved landscape can help the understanding of green issues, like the importance of a balanced environment. Many bloggers are reporting their experiences watching the growth of this type of reserve, such as Fernanda de Souza Pimentel, from the Pitaquinhos da Fernanda [pt] blog, who describes a visit from her environmentalist father to her school last November:
“Hoje na escola onde eu estudo, a Escola de Educação Básica Nossa Senhora (Angelina, SC), aconteceu a 1ª amostra pedagógica do colégio.
Meu pai foi convidado para palestrar sobre a RPPN Rio das Lontras e o seu trabalho pela causa ambiental. Alunos e professores foram convidados a assistir essa aula na sala temática do mundo animal, ensinando aos alunos o quanto o meio ambiente necessita de cuidados.”
Environmentalist lecturing teachers and students about the importance of a balanced environment.
Since 2002, her family has owned the land in Santa Catarina that became the RPPN Rio das Lontras in 2005. The reserve has its own blog [pt] and a fauna photo album, kept by Fernanda's parents, Chris and Fernando, to document the work they carry out. In their latest post, they describe their work cataloging the bird species found in the area, some of them in danger of extinction. Thanks to their work you can hear them sing. In the blog, they explain how the work is going [pt]:
A simple house in Rio das Lontras
“A singela casinha que alugamos como base para abrigar outra equipe de pesquisadores tem ao fundo uma vista parcial da RPPN Rio das Lontras. … Aqui um aparelho de GPS e um medidor de temperatura e umidade aguardam na janela a hora de ir a campo;… O levantamento visual e auditivo foi o método utilizado em campo para a elaboração da lista de espécies da RPPN Rio das Lontras. Foram registradas 127 espécies na RPPN e em seu entorno imediato.
Photo of a Saw-billed Hermit (Ramphodon naevius), one of the species that have been reported to live at RPPN Rio das Lontras. Photo by Nick Athanas used with permission.
Tiê do Mato (Habia rubica), that also can be found at RPPN Rio das Lontras. Photo by Geiser Trivelato used with permission.
Teacher Thaiza Montine went with her school on a trip to Banana Menina, a reserve dedicated to education and research, as a competition prize. In the post quoted below [pt], she publishes the pictures and describes her excitement:
“Um passeio maravilhoooooso e extremamente produtivo, uma vez que, além da visita ao lugar também fomos agraciados com o Programa “Povos do Cerrado”, e tivemos várias palestras e aulas ministradas no meio da mata, envolvendo Meio Ambiente, Arqueologia, História de Goiás, Biologia e Gastronomia. Uma maravilha, realmente, de premiação!”
Wood Conference Room
The RPPNs are developing fantastic educational activities for the people who live around the reserves. These private initiatives are opening a window on environmental issues, helping students to better understand and visualize the importance of nature. The Brazilian RPPNs — considered unique among international schemes — have proved hat the environment and humankind can live in perfect harmony.
12 comments
We’ve got to be united to save earth! Earth Hour is practised at large scale in all developed and developing countries but there has been more publicity and awareness this year, as well as participation from large corporations like http://www.commit21.com/ which is a good sign – that there is still hope and that people still care!
Let’s all do this, no matter where you are! Saturday, 28 March 2009. Lights off from 8.30pm to 9.30pm!
Nature Concern
Wonderful post – an inspiring initiative! Thanks for sharing.
It’s marvelous to see this being done in Brazil. Similar programs have been quite successful in the United States and elsewhere. Good work and many blessings to all involved.
lou
I second Janine, this is very inspirational. Thank you for sharing
Espetacular sua materia, deveriamos ter mais artigos a este respeito, fico feliz e termos materias tão educativas e escarecedoras como esta.
Meus parabens
Is fond of a lot from the article fico blithe By we will be having people Although in case that they worry with the environmement , AND believed being a lot important this type as of conscientilly. Thank you
Excelente reportagem meu amigo espero le mais artigos escritos por você.
Parabens muito bacana, quero ler muitas coisas escritas por você ainda
The projects like National Conservation Units System (SNUC) should be launched in all the countries as the pollution or the carbon prints are global problems. Certainly it is a praise worthy thinking and mission.