Among the various actions carried out by Copaíba, the production of native seedlings is an area of fundamental importance, as it supplies the institution's forest restoration projects.
It is in the Copaíba Forest Nursery that the seedlings are produced. There are more than 150 species of native trees. Among them are some fruit trees, such as pitanga, araçá, uvaia; noble species, such as jequitibá, jatobá, copaíba, and several other species that enrich the forests of the region.
And it all starts from the seeds that are collected in different fragments of native forests. For the collection of fruits and seeds, some criteria are followed, such as the amount of fruits that are collected. “We always collect a maximum of 30% from the fruits and seeds of the trees, so that the rest of these fruits can feed the animals or disperse naturally”, comments Flávia Balderi, Copaíba's Executive Secretary.
Collecting fruits and seeds became a voluntary action of the institution's employees. And Copaíba has encouraged more people, landowners, nature lovers, to learn more about plants through this action. “The voluntary action of collecting seeds has contributed to the production of seedlings. In addition to being very important to have the participation of more people, we increase the genetic diversity of our seedlings”, comments Ana Paula Balderi, coordinator of Viveiro Florestal.
Copaíba expects the collaboration of more people and believes that in addition to contributing to the production of seedlings, the volunteers acquire great knowledge about these species.