A Sanctuary in the Atlantic Rainforest
Learn about the Araribá Botanical Garden and its 40-year-old mission of ecological reforestation: Restore, Preserve and Educate
Aerial view of living botanical collection (2020) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
WHERE ARE WE?
In an area of 30 hectares of Atlantic Forest – one of the most diverse and threatened biomes on the planet – the Araribá Botanical Garden (JBA) is located in the city of Amparo, State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Before 1979
Images of the Reserve over the years.
2004
Images of the Reserve over the years.
Blue Mountain Valley (2019) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
After 2020
Images of the Reserve over the years.
Araribá Botanical Garden Nature Reserve (2020) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
After 2021
Images of the Reserve over the years.
Aerial view of the ecological recovery area of the Botanical Garden Araribá (2021) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
WATER AND BIODIVERSITY
In the past 30 years of forest growth, water re-emerged from the ground creating four water springs. Also biodiversity improved with 110 species of native trees already identified and 170 species of wild animals inhabiting the site.
"Duas Cachoeiras" Private Reserves of Natural Heritage (2021) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
"Duas Cachoeiras" Private Reserves of Natural Heritage (2020) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
Private Natural Heritage Reserve - “RPPN Duas Cachoeiras”
Before conceiving and creating the Araribá Botanical Garden, Guaraci Diniz registered the restored forest as the "Two Waterfalls Private Natural Heritage Reserve" (RPPN). This guarantees, by law, that the area cannot be deforested, even if it is sold to third parties.
Water is a fundamental element to guarantee life and biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest, as well as the health of the surrounding population. With the reforestation of the Araribá Botanical Gardens, water springs were recovered, the sedimentation of water courses decreased and the forest encouraged the return of several native species of birds and mammals.
"Duas Cachoeiras" Private Reserves of Natural Heritage (2019) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE
Another goal of the creation of both the Private Natural Heritage Reserve and the Araribá Garden, is the preservation of the forest for future generations. To this end, important environmental education and awareness activities have also been carried out for over 30 years.
"Duas Cachoeiras" Private Reserves of Natural Heritage (2020) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
ATLANTIC FOREST
We are on the foothills of Serra da Mantiqueira, in the seasonal Atlantic Forest, with altitudes ranging between 650 and 1.200m. There is a very distinct dry and rainless season there. Hence the need for the forest to preserve springs.
"Duas Cachoeiras" Private Reserves of Natural Heritage (2020) by Foto - Guaraci M Diniz JrJardim Botânico Araribá
THE JBA's MANAGEMENT
The Environmental Studies and Actions Group (GAEA) is in charge of the garden's management. It has professionals such as environmental educators, biologists, journalists, agronomists and researchers, all interested in its environmental preservation and sustainability.
The JBA's native forest is essential to preserve and guarantee the quality of the water in the springs that supply part of the population of the city of Amparo. The Mosquitoes Creeks, which run inside the reserve, forming the "two waterfalls" on the site, form an "oasis" in the restored riparian forest, after passing, upstream, through deforested properties or with degraded pastures and monocultures.
Technical information: Guaraci M. Diniz Jr., environmental educator and ecological farmer
Texts: Tânia Rabello, journalist
Translation: Luiz H. R. Baqueiro, biologist
Composition, production and musical performance: Caique Neri and Danilo Ciolfi
Video: Photography and image capture - Guaraci M. Diniz Jr.; Edition - Samuel Lopes Oliveira
All photos are from the Araribá Botanical Garden (AJB) and the Duas Cachoeiras Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), which is also a Conservation Unit (UC) of the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC).
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