A few months ago, during the rains, the Environmentalist Association Copaíba started the forest restoration of an important area in the Rio do Peixe basin, in Socorro/SP.

It is an area that encompasses the surroundings of three springs and three tributary streams of the Rio do Peixe.

At this location, a first stage of the project “Forest Restoration of springs and tributary streams of the Rio do Peixe” – MOGI 476 (Fehidro Contract 186/2015) has already been completed and around 8,000 seedlings of trees native to the region have been planted. Soon, another 8 thousand new seedlings will be planted, in the second stage, occupying a recovered area of Atlantic Forest of 10 hectares (100 thousand m2).

Normally, after planting the seedlings, the entire area undergoing restoration needs care and maintenance. This means that seedlings that are growing into trees receive greater attention in the first two years of this process.

It is time, then, to fertilize the seedlings, control the grass that grows in their surroundings, and fight the leaf-cutting ants, which often harm the development of the area.

Taking advantage of the rain in May, the Copaíba team got their hands dirty and fertilized the seedlings planted on site, thus ensuring the good development of these plants.

Copaíba hopes that, soon, a new forest will be formed on the site. “Once the trees grow, they will be exercising their ecological function, protecting water and biodiversity. Soon, this area will be frequented by wild fauna and will serve as a shelter and refuge for several species of animals in our region”, comments Ana Paula Balderi, coordinator of forest restoration at Copaíba.

Other areas, already reforested by the institution itself, also received care during this period. There are two areas located in Socorro and Serra Negra/SP, which are being conserved and restored through the projects “Forest Restoration of springs and tributary streams of the Rio do Peixe” – MOGI 294 (Fehidro Contract 186/2015) and “Forest Restoration of springs and tributary streams of the Rio do Peixe” – MOGI 361 (Fehidro Contract 186/2015). Together these areas add up to approximately 30 thousand m2 of native forests in formation, in the Rio do Peixe basin.

To learn more about the support programs and projects that Copaíba develops, contact us by phone (19) 3895-8382, e-mail: [email protected], or pay a visit to the institution, located at Rodovia Captain Barduíno, 788, in Socorro-SP.