“ESCOLA DA AMAZÔNIA”

Community Branch

Field Camp on Ariosto Island

BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS

Proposal

Workshop on Ecology and Conservation of the Amazon Rainforest for Local Students

Description: The southern most portions of the Amazon, in the State of Mato Grosso, host the greatest biodiversity in the region. Notwithstanding, they face the highest rates of deforestation in Brazil. In order to protect this natural heritage, two reserves were created: Cristalino State Park and Cristalino Private Reserve of Natural Heritage, both in Alta Floresta. Cattle ranchers and logging companies, however, do not recognize the reserves and have had a negative influence on the local community, which can potentially undermine conservation efforts.

The Escola da Amazônia’s immersion Workshops on Ecology and Conservation of the Amazon Rainforest offer participants the unique opportunity to study first-hand the natural history of important plant and animal taxa in the Amazon rainforest, within the context of basic ecological and evolutionary principles. In addition, the participants are exposed to the major environmental problems that threaten the Amazon rainforest and are invited to discuss the solutions to those problems.

It’s community branch is particularly important in the context of Alta Floresta. It offers to local students the same opportunity that is been given to those who come from national or international sites. The community branch takes place in the forest reserve and facilities of the Floresta Amazônica Hotel in the town of Alta Floresta and “Ariosto Island” as its Field Camp, which is located in the junction of Teles Pires and Cristalino rivers. “Ariosto Island” is surrounded on both margins by Private Reserves ( RPPN – Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural). contiguous to the Cristalino Park, which extends to 184.900 hectares in the State of Mato Grosso. The focus of the Escola da Amazônia’s community branch is to discuss and clarify the conflicts that threaten the biodiversity and ultimately the sustainable development of Southern Amazon. Local children and young students are the target participants of the Escola da Amazônia and our hope is to implement the environmental awareness in the local community beggining with their young.

The “Ariosto Island” is located in a place of easy access from the city and to the surrounding natural areas. The existing infrastructure, with some adaptations and remodeling, can be used immediately.

This proposal consists in making the minimum necessary adaptations and remodeling of the existing infra-structure on the “Ariosto Island” – in Teles Pires River, in order to allow the start of the “Escola da Amazônia” – Community branch - Field Camp. It will be operated by Cristalino Ecological Foundation, which will receive a share of the revenues and promote the development of the education program.

The necessary investment in “Ariosto Island” amounts to US$ 24,000, required as a grant in order to allow the execution of the basic infra-strucuture project.

It is estimated that the Center will be able to start receiving students 3 months after the approval of this proposal.

Existing infrastructure

The main existing infrastructure on the “Ariosto Island” include:

  • a 300 m2 guest-house, which only requires small repairs
  • a 200 m2 house for the employees, currently occupied by the island guardian
  • a 100 m2 storehouse, which needs small repairs
  • an electric energy generator, ready-for-use, installed in a separate construction
  • a water container, installed over a small tower

Basic needs

In order to be able to operate the “Escola da Amazônia” – Community Branch – Field Camp, the following adaptations are necessary immediately:

  • dismantle old construction remains and carry out a general cleaning up of the area;
  • build and equip a 100 m2 kitchen and dining-room, that will also be used as meeting room;
  • repair and equip the existing guest-house, employee-house and storehouse;
  • provide a boat and motor.

Other necessities such as the installation of a renewable energy system, a laboratory, a computer with internet connection, as well as a larger employee-house are not included in the present proposal and will have to be considered in a future, second-step project.

Investment required

The minimum investment required to carry out the project amounts to US$ 31,170.

Amazon School
Community Branch - Field Camp
Demolition of old construction remains / 3.246
Cleaning up the area / 2.170
Kitchen and dining-room construction / 16.454
Kitchen furniture / 545
Dining-room furniture / 870
Kitchen equipment / 1.950
Dining-room equipment / 870
6 mt boat / 1.440
25 HP motor / 3.325
8 life jackets / 300
Total / 31.170

The Cristalino Jungle Lodge and Cristalino Ecological Foundation will provide the following counterparts:

  • repair and equipment of the guest-house, employee house and storehouse;
  • vehicle for equipment and materials transportation;

  • project supervision and coordination.


Preliminary design of the Cristalino Research Center structure

Existing infrastructure

Necessary construction

Future potential constructions

AMAZONARIUM – Meio Ambiente e Povos Tradicionais

Rua Um, 220. Green Village. Piracicaba, SP 13420-860

Tel/Fax.: (19) 3424-1540