ExxonMobil renews support to the golden lion tamarin’s conservation project

On August 2, International Golden Lion Tamarin Day, ExxonMobil reaffirms its commitment to the conservation of two Brazilian symbols that are threatened with extinction: the golden lion tamarin and the Atlantic Forest.
  • Oil and Gas Company will contribute to create an ecological park in Silva Jardim (RJ)
  • Contribution of R$ 500.000,00 (US$ 100,000) will give support in infrastructure, communications and maintenance of 20,000 Atlantic Forest seedlings, in addition to the construction of an observation deck of the species
  • Objective is to raise awareness about the conservation of the national symbol and its natural habitat

ExxonMobil renews for another year the support for the Associação Mico-Leão Dourado (AMLD) through the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO). The contribution of R$ 500.000,00 (US$ 100,000) will give support to create the Golden Lion Tamarin Ecological Park, scheduled to open in the second half of 2021, in Silva Jardim (RJ), in the 100 hectares of AMLD's headquarters. The contribution will focus on three areas: infrastructure, communications and maintenance of 20,000 native seedlings planted in 2019, in addition to the construction of an observation deck.

"A year ago, when we started this project, we joined the cause for conservation of two national symbols. Now that AMLD will create the park, we want to raise awareness of the importance of the commitment to environmental conservation," says Valéria Rossi, head of Public and Government Affairs at ExxonMobil in Brazil.

The new infrastructure will allow a guided tour of the park and on the trails. One of the attractions will be a deck for observing the local fauna and flora and the first vegetated viaduct on a federal highway in Brazil, located on BR-101 highway.

The park will feature audiovisual equipment with content about the area and the golden lion tamarins and will also promote art events, agroecological fairs and lectures. Trained teams will lead visitors to engage them with environmental conservation efforts.

"The ecological park will provide an extraordinary experience, observing the golden lion tamarin in its natural habitat, which generates empathy, central to environmental preservation. FUNBIO has the privilege of once again supports AMLD.” says Alexandre Ferrazoli, Project Manager at FUNBIO.

"By renewing this partnership, ExxonMobil and FUNBIO consolidate as strategic partners of the project. In this second year of work, we intend to expand public engagement in biodiversity conservation. The consolidation of the Golden Lion Tamarin Ecological Park is a dream that is gradually coming true," says Geographer Luis Paulo Ferraz, Executive Secretary at AMLD.

About Funbio

The Brazilian Biodiversity Fund is a non-profit civil society institution created in 1996 with donations provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Funbio is a National Implementing Entity for both the GEF and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and has supported more than 290 conservation projects.

About AMLD

The Associação Mico-Leão Dourado was founded in 1992, building on the work of the Smithsonian-affiliated Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program. They are dedicated to protecting the species and ensuring its long-term survival in its natural habitat.

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil is one of the largest exploration acreage holders in Brazil among international companies with 28 offshore blocks in the Campos, Santos and Sergipe-Alagoas basins. The company has had business activities in Brazil since 1912 and has about 1,600 employees – 98% of whom are Brazilian nationals – in the country across its chemical, upstream and business service center operations.

ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is one of the largest refiners and marketers of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com.br or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/exxonmobilbrasil. ExxonMobil Brasil is the affiliate in Brazil.