The reforestation of Tijuca began in the middle of the 19th century and it was the first initiative of its kind in Latin America. The initial project manager nominated by Emperor D. Pedro II was Major Gomes Archer. He began his work employing only six slaves and then later expanding his operations to 22 paid workers planting over 100 thousand seedlings in 13 years. The species used during the replanting were for the most part consistent with what previously had existed on the site. The replanting was a large success and the environmental issues began to slowly resolve themselves. Here we are walking amongst this historical flora and fauna to the sight where we are going to plant some trees of our own!

“Nature does nothing uselessly.” ~ Aristotle

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