23 November 2008

Good News for the Atlantic Forest

A bit, in colors, of the Atlantic Forest - Bra...Image by de Paula FJ via Flickr
Brazil moves to protect and restore endangered Atlantic rainforest
mongabay.com
November 22, 2008

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed a decree to protect and restore critically endangered rainforest along the country's Atlantic coast, reports the Associated Press.

The Mata Atlantica has been reduced to less than 7 percent of its original range as a result of logging and conversion for agriculture and cattle ranches.

The decree, signed Friday, "provides financial incentives for local residents to protect and recover forest through green businesses," according to the AP.

Carlos Minc, the country's Environment Minister, said the government aims to restore the Atlantic forest to 20 percent of its original cover.

Earlier this year the Nature Conservancy announced a program to plant a billion native trees in the region, in hopes of restoring the ecosystem. Research published last year suggests that with such efforts the Mata Atlantica may be capable of recovery.

Earlier in the year (with a little help from my readers!) I adopted SALVEASERRA as my blog charity project. Any revenue generated from How to Make a Difference is donated to SALVEASERRA to help them continue their great work restoring the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

You can help by downloading and using our toolbar, or purchasing a fantastic organic cotton t-shirt from WE ADD UP.

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