Reserves, Research Stations and Nurseries

Peti Environmental Station – PETI HYDROELECTRIC PLANT

• Location and Access
• Cruzeiro Lookout Platform
• Lodging, Restaurants and Chapel
• Research Center (former power plant)
• Center for Animal Handling and Reproduction
• Present Power Plant

The Environmental Station

This is an area that has been especially set aside and protected with the purpose of assuring the preservation of native fauna and flora resources. It is equipped with a research center, where studies on terrestrial and aquatic ecology are performed, research on native species reproduction and reintroduction is done, and the monitoring and management of fauna and flora as well as environmental education programs are carried out.

Peti Environmental Station

This unit was opened in 1983, on Cemig’s initiative, with the purpose of becoming a research center for native fauna and flora.

Located in the municipalities of Santa Bárbara and São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo, this is considered an important transition area, as it is located on the western foothills of the Espinhaço Range, a boundary zone between the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado.

Covering an area of 606 ha, the Peti Environmental station is traversed by the Santa Bárbara River (a tributary of the Doce River) and has, additionally, another four smaller creeks within its limits.

Flora and Fauna Studies

In addition to its scientific remit, the Peti Environmental Station has contributed to academic studies through an association with research centers and Universities. A complete environmental inventory of the region was made. It meant two years of detailed studies on the fauna, botanic strata and limnology of the region.

The inventory results have identified:

• 556 insect species
• 502 plant species
• 256 bird species
• 39 mammal species
• 26 reptile species
• 24 amphibian species
• 10 fish species

Four species were identified as previously unknown to science. Among them a species of dragonfly that was given the scientific name Heteragrion petiense and a species of cinnamon tree named Licaria triplicalyx.

Among the threatened species identified are the Red-ruffed Fruit-crow, which was chosen to become the reserve’s symbol, the Maned-wolf, the Puma and the Broad-nosed Caiman.

The inventory formed the basis for the development of a bird sanctuary and fauna nursery, intended to foster the relocation and reintroduction of species both locally and into other environmental reserves in the state. A nursery for local plant species was also created so as to provide for the recomposing of local forests.

A vast range of actions were undertaken for the development and the application of technology in Peti’s Environmental Education Programs and, eventually, in other sectors of the company as well. These actions resulted in the ongoing environmental education program offered at elementary and high schools, both locally and in the state’s capital.

Infrastructure

• main gate
• research center (former plant)
• plant
• wildlife handling and nursery center
• plant nursery
• lodging facilities for 20 people
• a 50-seat auditorium
• restaurant
• look out sites: Cruzeiro, Reservoir and Stone quarry
• church
• river mouth
• the waterfall
• the dam and canyon
• trails
• communications system
• fences and firebreaks around the preserve

Location

The Peti Environmental station is located in between the municipalities of Santa Bárbara and São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo, on the western slopes of the Espinhaço Mountain Range, a mere 100-kilometer drive from the state capital, Belo Horizonte.