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Guaraquecaba project is an example of the REDD initiative that offers new alternatives for income generation
Sao Paulo, Brazil – November 17, 2010 -
Launched in 1999, the first project of carbon and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from deforestation and degradation (REDD) in Brazil (a partnership between the NGO The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Society of Wildlife Research and Environmental Education (SPVS ) and American Electric Power, Chevron and General Motors) generates significant results for biodiversity conservation and local communities in providing alternative income generation and environmental education in the region where the projects are developed. They include environmental education, ecotourism, cultivation of native bees, among others. In the event of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Climate Convention (COP 16), beginning on Jan. 29 in Cancun, Mexico, the theme REDD could return to the surface and this is an example of a project that addresses all the issues involved these discussions.
“This is a pioneering project, with an innovative approach in the areas of carbon and climate, and that played a key role in advancing the issues of monitoring carbon in tropical forests and can now serve as sources of information and inspiration for the development of REDD new projects in Brazil that take into account the protection and restoration of forests in the process of mitigating climate change, “says Fernando Vega, manager of Environmental Services of the TNC. “The initiative of this project is very important because it helps preserve a significant portion of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and engages local communities in this challenge of great importance for the maintenance of natural heritage,” says CEO SPVS, Clovis Borges.
The project is developed at the Environmental Protection Area (APA) Guaraqueçaba, northern coast of Paraná. On the scene, 18,600 acres are developed protective actions and environments preserved at the same time, threatened by the degradation in the largest remnant of Atlantic forest still in good condition. Are also developed reserves management activities, scientific research, environmental education, planting seedlings for restoration of degraded areas
The project has already removed 860 000 metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere through the restoration of degraded areas, and over its 40 years, avoiding the emission of 370,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, it has helped save more than 300 000 hectares of Atlantic rainforest in APA. The projects occupy three areas of nature reserves: Morro da Mina (3,300 hectares) and River Falls (8,600 ha) in the municipality of Antonina, and Sierra Itaqui (6,700 ha) in Guaraqueçaba.
In addition to monitoring and carbon sequestration, conservation and restoration, the project encourages local groups that are articulated in the search for alternative income. In this work were obtained important results in the region, such as the creation of the Breeders Association of Native Bees APA Guaraqueçaba (Acriapa) and the Cooperative Ecotourism Guaraqueçaba (Cooperguará Ecotur). In Acriapa with beekeeping Associates in 2008 alone the 25 producers involved in the project reached a record harvest of honey. The group collected 130 kg of honey, 225% more than last year.
Already Cooperguará Ecotur aims to contribute to ecotourism to the economy of Paraná coast, more specifically the activities in the region of the Guaraqueçaba APA. It consists of owners of restaurants, hostels, campsites, and owners of Private Natural Heritage (RPPNs) which are also guides the trails. For the convenience of tourists were created 12 itineraries that involve visits to nature reserves of the Forest Atlantic observation activities of animals such as dolphins and parrots, purple-faced, hiking, rafting the rapids of the Rio Cachoeira, in addition to the typical regional cultural events, cuisine, fishing, crafts and regional agroforestry products.
There are also projects for income generation with a focus on crafts. One is the Headwaters Group of the Sierra, formed by four women living in neighborhoods adjacent to the project areas have learned the art of sewing from training provided by SPVS. They embroider shirts with drawings of flora and fauna that are found in the region, such as the anteater and orchids. The sewing machine and all materials for the manufacture of shirts, from the fabric to packs are available by SPVS. The money from the sale is reversed for the group.
With the installation of the project, SPVS became one of the largest generators of formal jobs of Paraná coast, with 45 employees who perform activities related to the maintenance of reserves and care to maintain the quality of its ecosystems – in general, employees are hired in local communities, with engagement with the work, acquire knowledge and start to play roles that require a good rear of scientific knowledge. Most employees hired workers was of the old farms buffalo.
They work as park rangers and accompany researchers in biodiversity monitoring site The indirect jobs are also growing with encouraging new sources of income. The beekeeping project is an example of appropriate management in natural areas.
All this work shows the interaction of a carbon sequestration project and the communities in REDD implementation of actions related to environmental education officials and local community development.
About SPVS
The Society for Wildlife Research and Environmental Education (SPVS) is an institution of the Third Sector in Brazil, based in the state of Parana, which has a history of 26 years in favor of conservation. Among the initiatives of the institution are projects to offset emissions of greenhouse gases in order to help combat climate change, as well as initiatives to protect natural areas and endangered species – especially in the formations of the Atlantic Forest and Forest Araucaria – restoration and environmental restoration, public awareness campaigns and environmental education. More information www.spvs.org.br.
About TNC
The Conservancy is an international organization, a leader in the construction of ecologically important natural resources for nature and people. Present in Brazil since 1988, has the mission to preserve plants, animals and ecosystems that make up the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the natural resources necessary for their survival. The conservation program for the Atlantic and Central Savannas, establishes partnerships with various sectors of society to protect and restore priority areas within these biomes. For more information, visit: www.nature.org / Brazil
Contacts:
Lead Communication and Sustainability for the Conservancy:
Marcela Ayabe – tel 11 31681412 r 29/11 87,149,786 – [email protected]
Luiz Soares – tel 11 31681412 r 18/11 87,524,637 – [email protected]
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and Its more than 1 million members protected Have Nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/southamerica/brasil/press/press4767.html
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