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The Atlantic Rainforest
The Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlântica in Portuguese) once covered more than one million square kilometres and ran the entire length of the coast of Brazil and into Argentina and Paraguay. It was a forest of birds, butterflies, monkeys, marmosets and so much more. Darwin was speaking about the southern reaches of the Atlantic Rainforest when he wrote in Voyage of the Beagle that
“…vast numbers of butterflies, in bands or flocks of countless myriads, extended as far as the eye could range. Even by the aid of a telescope it was not possible to see a space free from butterflies. The seamen cried out "it was snowing butterflies," and such in fact was the appearance.”
Today, only 4% to 8% of that forest remains. If the outcome of the battle to save the Amazon Rainforest is still in question, there is no doubt that any battle there may have been to save the Atlantic Rainforest has nearly been lost. Yet, within the tiny percentage that remains, there is a greater biodiversity than in the entire Amazon region.
And it is exquisitely beautiful.
For its diversity, for its beauty, for our planet and for our children, the Mata Atlântica must be protected, preserved and restored.
The Big Field : a Child’s Year Under the Southern Cross was written to introduce the beauty and charm of childhood in the Atlantic Rainforest to children everywhere, and to awaken their love of and desire to protect nature. The links on this page are to some of the many organizations doing a great deal to try to save this magical forest.
Links
Portuguese only, this is a major
environmental protection organization.
This is a cosmetics company
that supports a large foundation to protect the Atlantic Raniforest.
With an English page, this a the site of an organization dedicated to conservation of the
Atlantic Rainforest.
An excellent historical perspective on how European-style farming led to the destruction of the
rainforest, with projects for reversing the trend and
opportunities for involvement.
www.plantabillion.org
The Nature Conservancy’s programme to bring back the Atlantic Rainforest. Like the Instituto Terra and Granny in The Big Field, they are planting trees. You can help!
The great Brazilian photographer,
Sebastião Salgado and his wife, Lélia Deluiz
Wanick Salgado are doing exactly the same as Granny in The Big Field. They are planting rainforest trees.
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