R$ 2 million investment made by Atvos in 181 hectares to benefit black lion tamarin (mico-leão preto) population. More than 184 thousand seedlings were planted.

 

Committed to make feasible the largest ecological corridor implanted in São Paulo state’s countryside Atlantic Forest, Atvos, bioenergy company, is to conclude, in partnership with IPÊ – Ecological Research Institute, the plantation of over 300 thousand seedlings until 2022.  Over 184 thousand native trees were planted in 110 hectares, which represents six additional kilometers against the largest corridor reforested in the biome, in Brazil. The company is also making available an area of 619 hectares for reforestation.

 

Once the forest restoration is complete, the area will be transformed into conservation area to officially integrate Mico-Leão Preto Ecological Station. “The plantation of native trees promotes natural regeneration of the region and makes of the Map of Dreams a reality. This is a proof that agribusiness can co-exist with environmental issues and contribute to fauna and flora”, says Marcelo Annes, Atvos superintendent.

 

The Map of Dreams, created by IPÊ, is a map with the strategic areas to be planted in the local Atlantic Forest, promoting the re-connection of the Forest and conserving threatened animals like the black lion tamarin and the Brazilian tapir. Many of the areas identified as important are located in private properties, and so, it is important to make partnerships for the plantation. The map guides the plantation of the so called Corridors for Life. One of the corridors, with 2.4 million trees, interconnects the two largest conservation units of Atlantic Forest in São Paulo state’s countryside; Morro do Diabo State Park and Mico-Leão Preto Ecological Station.

 

“The project ‘Corridors for Life’, integrated to Programa Nascentes (spring program) from São Paulo state government, improves the transit of animals, and expands the area available for the black lion tamarin population to grow. It also contributes to the climate, biodiversity conservation and income generation for communities that render forest services, and trade seedlings from community nurseries to execute the action”, explains Laury Cullen Jr., IPÊ projects and research coordinator.

 

Atvos optimized part of sugar cane cultivation so as to make available an important section for the connection between green areas. In addition to forest restoration with 81 different species of native flora, the company is working on soil conservation, an investment that amounts to R$ 2 million.

 

The recovery process starts with localization and mapping of the area, and, after the environmental diagnosis, the soil is prepared along with logistic infrastructure and packaging of seedlings.  Then, plantation and seedlings irrigation occurs, followed by maintenance that includes control of competitive plants and insects, like ants. Where necessary, re-plantation occurs, and in the final phase, the team monitors regeneration for at least three years.