Mãe-da-lua
100 km from Fortaleza.
|
Background and people
Management plan
Projects
Associação Mãe-da-lua was founded in July 2006 by Hermann Redies (curriculum) and Rebeca de Alcântara e Silva. In the constitution of the Association, we stated:
Article 2: The purpose of the Association is
a) Preservation and protection of the native flora and fauna of Brazil, with the creation of
a nature reserve;
b) Environmental education;
...
Members: In 2011, Rebeca moved to another state, and could no longer participate in the project. Hermann's daughter Johanna, College student in Fortaleza, then joined the Association. At present, Hermann is president and legal representative of Associação Mãe-da-lua, and Johanna is vice-president.
Purchase of land: We bought the land for the reserve in 2006 and 2007, in total 764 hectares (see also here). The funds for the land purchase came from a private loan, with an interest rate equal to inflation. In July 2009, our reserve was officially recognized as RPPN (private reserve), see Portaria 58.
Management from 2006 to 2012: We tried to protect the RPPN from wildfires, hunters and invasion by domestic animals, like pigs and goats.
Among the main activities were:
- Creation and maintenance of trails to nearly all parts of the reserve;
- Guarding the reserve by patrolling on the trail system, mainly to prevent hunting;
- Permanent presence of a member of Associação Mãe-da-lua, or of a guard, in our office next to the RPPN;
- Two campaigns in the local radio (Radio "Atitude" de Itapajé, Radio Retiro) against hunting, and about burning fields and the danger of wildfires;
- Hermann gave several talks about the reserve in schools in the neighbourhood, for students and members of the community. Sra. Eugênia of ICMBio (CR5) participated in one of these meetings.
Some schools and colleges have shown interest to work together with the RPPN for environmental education. However, because of the lack of infrastructure (visitors centre, comfortable access etc.), we cannot easily receive groups of students, and at present, the considerable potential of Mãe-da-lua for environmental education is largely wasted.
Since 2009, we have enjoyed the support of the environmental Police CPMA (Ceará). At our request, the CPMA made numerous visits in the vicinity of the RPPN, and provided decisive assistance in the prevention of wildfires and hunting (blog 22/12/2011, in portuguese). In 2010, we also had the help of ICMBio (CR5, Sra. Eugênia) in conflicts with hunters and neighbours who tried to use the RPPN as pasture for goats. Without this help by CPMA and ICMBio, the situation of RPPN Mãe-da-lua would be far more difficult.
By and large, our measures to protect the reserve were until now successful. In spite of some critical situations (blog 05/12/2011, in portuguese), we had no major forest wildfire. Most hunters presently avoid the reserve, though a few persist. The numbers of deer and guans appear to increase.
Starting in 2006, the project was financed by ourselves, without external donors. Unfortunately, our own financial contributions had to be discontinued at the end of 2011. In 2013/2014, the Fundação Grupo Boticário de proteção à natureza provides financial support for our project "Preservation of White-browed Guan (Penelope jacucaca) and other threatened species in RPPN Mãe-da-lua...", see our blog 17/03/2013 (in portuguese) for details.
The management plan ("plano de manejo") describes the RPPN and outlines future projects. We elaborated this important document between November 2011 and January 2012, without external consultants, and at a cost of around R$ 600 (six hundred), in total. In May 2012, the plan was accepted by the responsible federal government institution ICMBio (Portaria 63 of 24/05/2012).
Download management plan of RPPN Mãe-da-lua (Portuguese only).
Below, the main projects of the plan are listed. We need funding for the implementation of these projects.
Section 6.3.10 (p. 60) of management plan. White-browed Guans and deers often leave the reserve and visit other areas in Serra das Vertentes to forage or drink. Most poachers now avoid Mãe-da-lua reserve, but some continue to hunt in these neigbouring, unprotected areas. An efficient measure to improve wildlife protection would be to purchase this land and add it to Mãe-da-lua private reserve.
We are looking for an institution which shares our concerns and could provide funds for the enlargement of the protected areas in Serra das Vertentes. Objective: Purchase of another 150-1500 hectares of Serra das Vertentes.
Sections 6.3.4 (p. 50) and 6.3.5 (p. 53) of management plan. Guarding the reserve with two guards on foot, 2-3 days/nights per week (6.3.5). Maintenance of the trail system (6.3.4.3), creation and maintenance of lanes against wildfire (6.3.4.2), maintenance of fence (6.3.4.1).
In 2013/2014, we have financial support of Fundação Grupo Boticário for guards (6.3.5) and for maintenance of trails (6.3.4.3) (blog 17/03/2013, in portuguese). We still need financing for protection against wildfires and for fence maintenance.
Section 6.3.6 (p. 54) of management plan. We have to build or re-build 7.131 meters of fence.
Section 6.3.8 (p. 56) of management plan. Construction of a centre for visitors, in the administrative area, next to the office of Associação Mãe-da-lua.
Section 6.3.9 (p. 59) of management plan. Bilingual internet site "www.mae-da-lua.org", with information about the flora and fauna of the reserve, and a blog. Radio announcements about hunting and wildfires. Distribution of posters and pamphlets. Signalization in and around the reserve. In 2013/2014, we have financial backing of Fundação Grupo Boticário for a large part of this program.