Cartas à restinga 49Nursery installed in Açu Port in 2012.Today the nursery produces and manages 70
Restinga species. For each of these species, we know the management, time of fruiting
and/or flowering, the most optimal way to collect seeds, the best area to plant, and
are able to determine if the plant’s soil requires more or less water. This information
is essential for a recovery project, and can be a difficult and time consuming process
which cannot be completed in only a few days. These data allow us to understand the
dynamics of the Restinga ecosystem better, and more strongly be able to replicate it.
These four years working with Restingas brought me the internal recognition of
“Protector of Caruara”. Today, I have a very close relationship with the unit, as aside from
the professional challenge to participate in the creation and management of the reserve,
it became part of my dreams. My ultimate dream is to transform the Caruara NPPR into a
truly sustainable conservation area! I hope that one day it will be able to generate income
for its own maintenance and research funding. This dream is particularly motivational
because I truly believe in the future of this unit; I believe all work that is built with love,
truth, and dedication generates a positive legacy of its own accord.
Currently, our major challenge is to find ways to disseminate all the knowledge
developed here. I would like that the recovery techniques, when validated, can be
replicated across the entire Brazilian coast. While I recognize my limits, I do not run away
from the challenges found along the way. Every time the unit consolidation dream is
threatened, or the daily challenges appear insuperable, I climb the observation deck of
the Açu Port visitor’s center and renew my strenght. The problems seem to dissipate,
because I can see the reserve and all its beauty! This is, undoubtedly, the most beautiful
view of the entire region. Making this magnificent vision accessible would be a great gift
to the inhabitants of São João da Barra. I would like people see the Restinga as I do, and
fight for its preservation.
I believe the future of the North Fluminense Restinga depends on structuring
investments in those conservation areas, motivation to conduct researches, and the
creation of new units, which preserve the landscape, the territory, and the environmental
identity of the region. Conservation units of public use, which is the current direction
for the Caruara NPPR, should be seen as part of the fundamental infrastructure for the
development of a region next to roads, electricity, hospitals, airports, railways, and ports.
Lagoa de Grussaí
Grussaí lagoon
Foto: Graça Freire