Ecological Corridor 1

On June 8^th, the Association for the Ecological Corridor in the Paraíba Valley (São Paulo State) announced the targets for the Ecological Corridor Project, aimed at the preservation and restoration of the Atlantic Forest biome. Under this project, over the next 10 years, 200 million trees are to be planted on 150,000 hectares of land, which will involve an investment of R$ 3 billion. Fibria, as one of the founding members, has participated in the project since 2006, along with NGOs and other companies. This initiative combines environmental restoration with the social and economic development of the municipalities in the Paraíba Valley.

Ecological Corridor 2

The Ecological Corridor Project offers a number of alternatives for stimulating the participation of local communities and rural producers in the region, such as payment for environmental services provided (soil and water conservation and forest restoration and conservation), stimulation of the planting of native species and species for economic use (eucalyptus) and integrated forestry and farming. Private individuals or legal entities wishing to contribute to the project can do so, by planting trees or through specific projects.

Madeira 2010

The 5^th International Congress on the Sustainable Economic Development of the Basic Forestry Industry and Power Generation (Madeira 2010) was held in São Paulo on June 22^nd and 23^rd. Carlos Aguiar, Fibria’s CEO, gave a presentation on “The sustainable contribution of the Brazilian forestry sector”, as part of the event’s second panel. Pots of honey produced in the company’s forests by beekeepers from neighboring communities were also distributed at the event.

Renewed commitment

Fibria strengthens its commitment to the Forest Footprint Disclosure (FFD) by joining the second phase of the project – which assesses just how much impact the company’s activities have on deforestation. Coordinated by the British NGO Global Canopy Programme, the launching of this phase, on June 8^th, was attended by the chairman of Fibria’s Board of Directors, José Luciano Penido, who gave a presentation on the company’s action to maintain this commitment. In 2009, Fibria was the only pulp sector company in Brazil to respond to the FFD questionnaire and was highlighted in the report for its commitment to using 100% certified raw materials. Click here to learn more about the FFD.

Odor Perception Network

On June 19^th, Fibria’s Três Lagoas Unit (Mato Grosso do Sul State) inaugurated the Odor Perception Network (RPO). At the event, company professionals gave presentations on the procedures developed for environmental monitoring at the mill and launched a toll-free telephone service that will assist the work of the 77 volunteers from the local community.

Supplies Forum

On June 21^st, Francisco Pires, Fibria’s general manager for Supplies, participated in the II International Purchasing and Supplies Forum, in São Paulo, organized by the ILOS (Logistics and Supply Chain Institute). Pires participated in the round table on “Sustainability Practices in Relations with Suppliers”, where he presented Fibria’s activities in this area and the three pillars of sustainability in the supply chain: the environment; ethics, regulations and legislation; and relationship with stakeholders.

Professional training

In partnership with SENAI (National Industrial Training Service), in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) and Espírito Santo (ES), Fibria has begun a training course for Forest Harvesting Machinery Operators and Mechanics, which is open to members of the community in Três Lagoas (MS). In order to form the first groups, 48 participants were chosen from a total of 500 people who registered. The course will train 24 mechanics and 96 operators in how to maintain and operate forest harvesting machinery. The duration of this full-time course will be 2 to 3 months and the students will receive a study allowance.

Forestry refinements

Fibria’s Três Lagoas Unit (Mato Grosso do Sul State) hosted the 22^nd Meeting of the Genetics and Forestry Improvements Technical Committee (CTGMF) – an annual event organized by the Forest Investigation Society (SIF) – between June 16^th and 18^th. Some 35 people, including researchers from the Federal University of Viçosa, participated in the lectures on forest genetic improvements.

Investment in research

Forestry engineering students from the Santa Maria Federal University (UFSM) visited the Aroeira Farm, in Candiota (Rio Grande do Sul State), which is owned by Fibria. Since 2005, studies of eucalyptus plantations have been conducted at this location, in partnership with the UFSM and the Institute for Soil Studies and Plant Nutrition of the Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg, in Germany. This research forms part of the process of monitoring of the eucalyptus plantations and plantations in the agricultural-forestry-pastoral system within the region. The environmental surveys of the silviculture activities will extend up to 2012.

Forest safety

The Safe Forest Program was launched on May 28^th and targets professionals at Fibria’s Capão Bonito and Vale do Paraíba Forest Units (São Paulo State). At the launch, a manual was handed out listing 18 minimum safety requirements for carrying out forestry activities. The program will soon be launched at Fibria’s other forest units.

Did you know...

...that the Wildlife Reintroduction Center (Cereias), located in Aracruz (Espírito Santo State), is a Fibria partnership with IBAMA (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) that has to date helped around 70,000 birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians? Approximately 80% of these animals were subsequently reintroduced into the wild in various different biomes and regions of Brazil.