World Land Trust - Regua

The World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation organization that takes direct action to save rainforest and other wildlife habitats. Since its foundation in 1989 (as the World Wide Land Conservation Trust), the WLT has funded partner organisations around the world to create reserves, and give permanent protection to habitat and wildlife. WLT and its overseas project partners have been instrumental in the purchase and protection of over 500,000 acres, now protected as permanent wildlife reserves.

REGUA is a non-profit non-governmental association with a mission to conserve the Atlantic Rainforest of the upper Guapiaçu river basin located within the watersheds of the Serra do Mar in the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. REGUA is comprised of local landowners and community members and was registered in 2001 under Brazilian law.

REGUA was introduced to WLT by Alan Martin (WLT Council member) who had visited REGUA regularly and is secretary of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Trust (BART), which has been supporting REGUA since its formation. Kirsty Burgess, WLT’s programmes manager, made a site visit and was impressed by the organisation and the habitat being conserved. This resulted in a partnership and a year later, the first land purchase funded by WLT. REGUA now owns and protects over 18,000 acres. The Guapi Assu Bird Lodge offers excellent accommodation for those wanting a rainforest experience only 100km from Rio de Janeiro.

For more information on The World Land Trust and REGUA please visit their websites- www.worldlandtrust.org and www.regua.co.uk