The UFRJ Campus Administration department garden is characterized by developing education, research and extension with the implementation of projects aimed at improving the university community and its surroundings quality of life. It promotes the production of inputs necessary for the maintenance of the green areas at UFRJ, looking for a sustainable activity in the environmental and economic aspect.
Among other activities, the University Garden develops: composting to produce topsoil; ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plants; fruit orchard; afforestation of the University City campus and all other UFRJ campuses (Xerém poles and Macaé); restore the Atlantic Forest in the Peninsula do Catalão and maintain this area as green corridor; support the revitalization of mangrove and actions for the preservation of threatened ecosystems at the Fundão Island as salt marshes and lakes; cultivation of tree seedlings; support all the demands of the UFRJ Master Plan 2020; practical classes and research in various disciplines; support UFRJ agro-ecology groups and the loan of ornamental vases in University events.
Catalão
With an area of 17 hectares and situated at the north end of the group of islands which became the UFRJ University City campus, the UFRJ Atlantic Forest Park is in the old Catalão Island. Foreseen in the original plan of the campus it was preserved by keeping the natural topography and vegetation. One of the three university gardens were conducted there for the purpose of afforestation of other areas of the University City campus and several new species were introduced on its forest.
The park entrance is next to the old hangar of seaplanes where was the Cabras Island. This biological reserve of Atlantic Forest, which is better known as Catalão, is a strategic ecological corridor linking fragments of vegetation around the Guanabara Bay in a densely populated area. A hundred and eighty species of birds have been recorded in the park reflecting its biodiversity. This area preserves ecosystems such as mangroves and a pond, which is replenished at high tide.
In September 1996, a grant was released by the Federal Government was intended to carry out works to improve the infrastructure of the University City campus, foreseeing a possible realization of the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro in 2004. Part of the funds was used to deploy the park in the Catalão Island. The UFRJ Mayor, professor and engineer Benjamin Ernani Diaz, coordinated the services at the time.
Various courses inside UFRJ and other universities make use of the park for teaching, research and extension. Some companies planted tree species as a compensatory measure for environmental fines. Currently, the Coordination of Environment and Urban Operations keep its maintenance, performing plantations and removing invasive species, such as guinea grass. The work allows observation of the formation of an understory, demonstrating the growth of the forest in shaded areas.
Guided tours are held on the trails of the Atlantic Forest Park at UFRJ, while details are explained about the Catalão, as the visiting public. The place has potential to attend the entire courses grid of the Federal University and the surrounding community, which can get to know the place and have several feelings through colors, senses, plant extracts and the sounds made by the local fauna.
Environment and Urban Operations
Contacts: (+55 21) 3938-9323 e 3938-9330