Projects
Araucárias da Mantiqueira Project
The Araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia), also known as the Brazilian pine, was once a dominant species in the forests of southern Brazil and the Serra da Mantiqueira region. Today, however, it is estimated that the Araucaria forests have been reduced to less than 0.6% of their original area, which made it considered a critically endangered species in the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2011).
The Matutu Reserve, in partnership with the Matutu Foundationhas planted over 150,000 araucaria trees over almost 30 years, ensuring the restoration of some of the original forests that once covered our valleys and mountains.
We also promote the exchange of germplasm with other areas of araucaria occurrence in order to enrich genetic variability and strengthen the populations of this species.
Besides the araucaria replanting areas, the Reserve also houses one of the oldest original forests of this species throughout the Serra da Mantiqueira, with some trees estimated to be over 250 years old.
Fauna Monitoring
The Matutu Reserve is a natural refuge for several species of wildlife threatened with extinction. Among the main species observed are the monkey, or muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides), the Cougar (Puma concolor) and the Jaguar (Panthera onca), among others.
With the support of the Matutu Foundation, biologists and partner institutions, the Reserve has been monitoring the occurrence of these species of great conservation interest.
The monitoring is done through photographic traps, footprints and traces records, sightings records and surveillance in the Reserve areas.
RPPNs
RPPN Serra do Papagaio - Matutu
The RPPN Serra do Papagaio - Matutu has an area of 378 hectares of forest and altitude fields and was formalized by State Decree No. 39.401/1998, Federal Decree No. 5.746/2006 and IEF-MG Ordinance No. 105/2008.
Created with the objective of protecting the ecosystems of the Serra do Papagaio region, the RPPN borders on the State Park of the same name and is part of the mosaic of Conservation Units of Serra da Mantiqueira.
RPPN da Mata and Campina
The Private Nature Reserves Mata and Campina formalised respectively by the Ordinances IEF-MG Nº. 198 of December 21, 2007 and 199 of December 21, 2007 - As per the Federal Decree Nº. 5.746/2006, State Decree Nº. 39401/1998 and according to the Law No. 9.985/2000, hey’re areas neighboring the RPPN Serra do Papagaio - Matutu and bordering the State Park Serra do Papagaio.
Created within the area owned by the Matutu Foundation, the reserves intend to protect the ecosystems in the region of Serra do Papagaio and while they're part of the local network of protected areas they also connect to a set of other conservation units across the Mantiqueira Mountains.
MATUTU BRIGADE
The mountain and forest fire brigade of Matutu is the first volunteer fire brigade in the southeast of Brazil. It was created in 1993 from the organized work of the residents of the community and formalised in 1995 with the institution of the Matutu Foundation.
Through projects and partnerships, the Matutu brigade certified over 500 new mountain fire fighters and trained more than 1500 volunteers across various locations in the protected areas of the Mantiqueira Mountains, along the Serra do Papagaio state park and across many other areas in Brazil, Argentina and Spain.
The Brigade is responsible for monitoring the reserve all year round. During the dry season the fire surveillance and detection system is activated, and throughout the rest of the year the focus is turned to the prevention of hunting and uncoordinated tourism.
The fire brigade is equipped with drones and camera sets, as well as a radio communication system that interconnects the various brigades across the project of volunteer communities around the Serra do Papagaio.