Sustainable building in an environmental conservation unit in the Serra da Farofa Complex, Santa Catarina, encourages scientific research on fauna and flora.

 
Santa Catarina, July 5, 2024 – Reinforcing its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, Klabin celebrates five years of operations of the Nature Interpretation Center (CINAT), located in the state of Santa Catarina, in the Serra da Farofa Complex, dedicated to scientific research at the master’s and doctorate levels, focusing on diagnosing, monitoring, and conducting ongoing studies on the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest.

The Natural Heritage Private Reserve (RPPN) Serra da Farofa Complex is located in a region of rich biodiversity, which has been attracting the interest of researchers for over ten years. The construction of CINAT, in 2019, ensured researchers had access to a complete structure, including heated dormitories, cafeteria, and an auditorium, enhancing the available resources and thereby fostering research in the region. The building was constructed following sustainable principles, in order to not impact the local ecosystem, with capacity to accommodate up to 40 researchers and students, and accessible to people with disabilities.

Since the creation of the RPPN, 32 research projects have been developed since 2019, with the support of the Nature Interpretation Center structure, including 9 doctoral studies, 12 master's studies, and 11 undergraduate research mentorship with final paper.

"It is with great satisfaction that we celebrate the five years of CINAT and, especially, the excellent results obtained. Klabin believes in the scientific support for the advancement of all areas, and the environment is no exception. For us, it is a great honor to be involved in the conservation of the RPPN and, through CINAT, enable researchers to study the rich diversity of fauna and flora in the region. We believe in strategic long-term investments, essential for the sustainability of the environment and for our business. Thus, we contribute significantly to the balance of the ecosystem in the regions where we operate," says Julio Nogueira, Sustainability and Environment Manager at Klabin.

Note that CINAT only receives research groups in scheduled and organized visits, so as not to impact the ecosystem. Given the conservation work carried out in the region, the area is not open to ecotourism.

An environmental sanctuary

The Natural Heritage Private Reserve (RPPN) Serra da Farofa Complex is a conservation unit maintained by Klabin with the aim of ensuring the perpetual care of native forests. The area, spanning nearly 5,000 hectares which is equivalent to 5,000 soccer fields, has vegetation in an excellent state of conservation, remnants of Atlantic Forest. The Reserve covers the municipalities of Urupema, Painel, Rio Rufino, Urubici, and Bocaina do Sul. The block where CINAT is located includes the intersection of four of them (Urupema, Painel, Rio Rufino, and Bocaina do Sul). In the area of the unit, 579 species of flora and 367 species of fauna have already been cataloged, many of them classified as endemic, rare and with recognized protection status among the official lists of endangered species.

The region is home to watersheds of important rivers such as Canoas, which forms the largest drainage basin in Santa Catarina; and Caveiras, responsible for supplying water to around 160,000 inhabitants of the municipality of Lages, with at least 94 recognized watersheds protected in the area by the National Water Agency (ANA).

To highlight the importance of protected native vegetation areas, Klabin was the first company in Brazil to obtain simultaneous recognition from the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) for positive impacts on three Ecosystem Services: Biodiversity Conservation (ES1), Carbon Sequestration and Storage (ES2), and Services in Drainage Basins (ES3), in the High Conservation Value Area (HCVA) Nascentes Farm, located in the RPPN Serra da Farofa Complex, in the municipalities of Painel and Urupema in Santa Catarina, at an altitude of 1,700 meters.

The Company currently has 134,935.57 hectares certified by FSC® (C023492) and PEFC/28-22-15 in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.