Regenera Biolab

A green anchor for
Brazil's Atlantic Forest

A conservation, restoration, agroforestry, and regenerative tourism hub in Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Located in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro state, it protects and restores one of the planet's most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems.

Scroll
Regenera Biolab

While creating practical models for sustainable land use, nature-based enterprise, and community-led regeneration.

Based on 170 hectares of Atlantic Forest near Nova Friburgo, Regenera Biolab is already active: trails are open, native forest is being restored, agroforestry systems are being planted, and biodiversity is being monitored through camera traps, drones, satellites, and field surveys.

Its long-term ambition is to consolidate a 500-hectare reserve and help anchor the wider Regenera Mata Atlântica corridor.

Goals

Conservation, restoration, and regenerative enterprise — reinforcing one another.

Regenera Biolab exists to demonstrate that conservation, restoration, local livelihoods, and responsible enterprise can reinforce one another.

— Mountain landscape near the Regenera Biolab site
Location

10 km from downtown Nova Friburgo.

Regenera Biolab is located approximately 10 km from downtown Nova Friburgo, in the mountainous interior of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

The site sits close to Parque Estadual dos Três Picos, Rio de Janeiro's largest state park and a UNESCO Biosphere Area.

The landscape includes cloud forest, granite peaks, waterfalls, natural springs, caves, small farms, degraded pastureland, and fragments of primary and secondary Atlantic Forest.

This location is strategically important because it lies between protected forest, agricultural land, and communities. It offers both urgent conservation value and significant potential for restoration, water security, sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and regenerative tourism.

Core Activities

A working hub for conservation, restoration, and regeneration.

Conservation and biodiversity protection

Regenera Biolab protects Atlantic Forest habitat that supports exceptional biodiversity, including threatened and endemic species. Camera traps, drones, satellite tools, and field surveys are being used to monitor wildlife, map vegetation, establish baselines, and track ecological recovery.

The site has documented rich birdlife and is part of a wider landscape that includes species such as puma, ocelot, jaguarundi, muriqui monkeys, tapirs, armadillos, sloths, and multiple endemic birds.

Native forest restoration

Regenera Biolab is restoring degraded areas with native Atlantic Forest species. More than 25 hectares are already dedicated to native species restoration, with additional land targeted for recovery.

Restoration includes replacing eucalyptus and other exotic or invasive species with native trees, improving soil health, recovering degraded pastures, protecting water springs, and rebuilding ecological connectivity.

Agroforestry and regenerative production

Led by its partner Ecolibrium, the Regenera BioLab hub develops agroforestry systems that combine ecological restoration with sustainable production. Existing fruit orchards are being rehabilitated using agroecological methods, while new plantings include native and high-value species such as pitanga, jabuticaba, pecan, macadamia, and specialty coffee.

The site also supports permaculture training, beekeeping, rotational grazing, and partnerships with local farmers and practitioners to demonstrate how production and conservation can work together.

Regenerative tourism and education

Regenera Biolab offers immersive nature-based experiences designed to generate positive ecological and social impact.

Activities include hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, stargazing, waterfall visits, cave exploration, agroforestry learning, environmental education, and wellness retreats.

Tourism revenue is intended to support forest restoration, water protection, local livelihoods, and long-term conservation.

Core Activity

Trails, wellness, and nature immersion.

The site currently manages around 10 km of trails, with plans to expand to a 30 km network. Trails connect visitors to cloud forest, waterfalls, granite peaks, caves, springs, and viewpoints such as Chapéu de Bruxa, Pirâmide, Babilônia, and Caledônia.

Regenera Biolab already offers accommodation for small groups and is also developing retreat infrastructure, including meeting spaces and programs for environmental leaders and defenders.

Initial Partners

A growing network of local partners.

A constellation of community-rooted partners working alongside Regenera Biolab in conservation, agroforestry, accommodation, education, and local economy.

ARAÇAScience and conservation
EcolibriumPermaculture, community training, and accommodation
Aventura AnimalWildlife monitoring
Instituto MarianeiraEducation and environmental restoration
Vale das SeriemasAccommodation, birdwatching and gastronomy
Mosaicos PortellaHandmade workshops
Mercado Local de Nova FriburgoOrganic and local products
Regenera Mata Atlântica Corridor

One of the founding hubs of a 200,000-hectare ecological corridor.

Regenera Biolab is one of the founding hubs of the Regenera Mata Atlântica corridor, a proposed 200,000-hectare ecological corridor connecting Três Picos and Desengano State Parks.

The corridor aims to restore and connect forest fragments across municipalities in Rio de Janeiro state through a mosaic of protected areas, restored habitats, agroforestry systems, local farms, community initiatives, and regenerative tourism sites.

Regenera Biolab plays a central role as an operational anchor for the corridor. It provides a working demonstration of how restoration, biodiversity monitoring, agroforestry, tourism, and partnerships can be tested locally and then scaled across the wider landscape.

The corridor is being developed with regional partners including ARAÇÁ / Antonelli Foundation, Ecolibrium, Igarapé Institute, Green Bridge Facility, SOS Mata Atlântica, and others.

Core Team

Local roots. Global reach.

Meet the people behind Regenera Biolab — a team combining local knowledge, scientific expertise, and global networks in service of the Atlantic Forest.

Meet the Team →
Contact

Get in touch to partner, visit, or learn more.

Website regenerabiolab.org.br
Email contato@regenerabiolab.org.br