Between the 25th February and the 1st March REGUA played host to the board of trustees of the World Land Trust US who are normally based in Washington. At the end of last year one of the trustees, Bob Ridgely, had visited REGUA and proposed it as an ideal location to hold the meetings whilst also providing the opportunity for all his colleagues to see and hear more about REGUA’s work and the challenges facing it. As well as the daily meetings in the lodge, everyone walked the Green Trail and most also visited Mount Caledonia, but the birding was rather disappointing and the weather not ideal. However the discovery of a small pale blue treefrog on the Green Trail, which we think may be the first record since 1980 of a species endemic to the Serra dos Orgaos and feared to be extinct, was a definite highlight and demonstrated perfectly how much more there is to learn about the threatened wildlife of the Atlantic Forest and its need for protection.

The success of the week has made us wonder whether there is a market in Brazil for corporates to hold small off-site meetings at REGUA during the quieter months. You don’t have to be a fanatical birder to enjoy the peace and quiet and hospitality at REGUA.