A Reserve in defense of the Araucaria Forest

A model of rational use of nature

The Waldemar Niclevicz Mountaineer's Nature Reserve (RNAWN) is a concrete environmental conservation project that integrates biodiversity, ecological restoration, environmental education, scientific research and sustainable income generation. It was designed to show that it is possible to protect without isolating — conserving on technical foundations and ensuring long-term environmental, social and economic viability.

The project is the result of decades of environmental commitment by Waldemar Niclevicz, a nature defender since 1986 as a member of the SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation. The reserve is a living legacy that joins the spirit of mountaineering with the protection of one of Brazil's most threatened ecosystems — the Araucaria Forest — today reduced to less than 1% of its original cover in good conservation status.

Territory, biome and RPPN

RNAWN sits within the Devonian Escarpment, in the Ribeira River watershed, on the transition between the First and Second Plateau of Paraná. The reserve runs along 3,000 meters of the Açungui River — considered the last great natural reserve of clean water supplying Curitiba and its metropolitan area — and another 2,000 meters of the Palmital River, sheltering around 30 springs inside its boundaries.

Of the 116 hectares, 34 were officially turned into a RPPN — Private Reserve of Natural Heritage — registered with perpetual character. The full-protection category guarantees that the area will exist with the same purpose forever, dedicated to conserving biological diversity and the region's ecosystem services.

Infrastructure

The reserve has approximately 1,000 m² of built area, distributed across three main buildings — all designed to support conservation, education and management:

• Work House — 550 m² : multi-purpose classroom, lodgings for researchers and staff, kitchen and dining hall, woodworking shop for beehive boxes, event space, storage and garage.
• Honey House — 260 m² : honey, pollen and propolis processing unit built according to Ministry of Agriculture requirements, with production certified organic and technical training for local producers.
• Restrooms — 30 m² : independent facilities for visitors, with showers.
• Mountaineer's Memory House (in development): cultural space at the top of Araucaria Hill, with a permanent collection of photos, equipment and documents from Waldemar Niclevicz's expeditions, plus rooms for courses, workshops, lectures and contemplation.