The Guapiaçu Project, sponsored by Petrobras, had its first phase between July 2013 and January 2016. Over the years, several positive results were achieved, which made it possible to repeat the project twice in subsequent years. One of the project's main areas of activity is the restoration of degraded areas of the Atlantic Forest. In total, the project has restored and maintained 261 hectares of forest, using the region's biodiversity.

In 2019, the project was surprised by a pandemic, which made it necessary to adapt activities, especially environmental education. Working with children and young people required that in-person programs be replaced by remote activities, using technology to our advantage.

With the little ones, we used the project's mascots, Antônio and Antônia, to introduce the theme of conservation through the reintroduction of the tapir (Tapirus terrestris), carried out by the Refauna Project with support from the Guapiaçu Project. Through fun activities, our team of environmental educators raised awareness among children of different ages about the need to protect endangered fauna, such as our mascots, which have been extinct since 1900 in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The visit to the Grande Vida trail was adapted to an augmented reality version with the Virtual Tour, thus being able to go beyond municipal limits. The activities with environmental monitors were also adapted so that the training could be accessed entirely through an online platform, and the practical complement was carried out with small groups, according to the recommendations of health authorities.

In addition to the Environmental Education and reforestation activities, in partnership with the Refauna Project, we supported the reintroduction of four more tapirs in the areas of the Três Picos State Park (PETP) and Regua.

 

The fourth edition of the project began in October 2022, which includes forest restoration actions, environmental education for all cycles of basic education, and biodiversity monitoring. This new phase of the project will be in effect until 2025 and will reach the municipalities of Cachoeiras de Macacu, Itaboraí, Guapimirim and Maricá.