The Natal Dunes State Park "Journalist Luiz Maria Alves" ( pt, Parque Estadual das Dunas de Natal "Jornalista Luiz Maria Alves"), or simply the Dunes Park ( pt, Parque das Dunas) is a

state park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural ...

in the state of

Rio Grande do Norte Rio Grande do Norte (, , ) is one of the states of Brazil. It is located in the northeastern region of the country, forming the northeasternmost tip of the South American continent. The name literally translates as "Great Northern River", ref ...

in the Northeast Region of Brazil. It protects an area of dunes and native vegetation along the coastal highway.

Location

The Natal Dunes State Park is considered the second largest

urban park An urban park or metropolitan park, also known as a municipal park (North America) or a public park, public open space, or municipal gardens ( UK), is a park in cities and other incorporated places that offer recreation and green space to resi ...

in Brazil. It protects an area of

Atlantic Forest The Atlantic Forest ( pt, Mata Atlântica) is a South American forest that extends along the Atlantic coast of Brazil from Rio Grande do Norte state in the northeast to Rio Grande do Sul state in the south and inland as far as Paraguay and th ...

and

dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, f ...

s in the heart of the city of

Natal NATAL or Natal may refer to: Places * Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, a city in Brazil * Natal, South Africa (disambiguation), a region in South Africa ** Natalia Republic, a former country (1839–1843) ** Colony of Natal, a former British colony ...

, capital of Rio Grande do Norte. The park has an area of extending along the coastal highway beside the neighborhoods of Mãe Luiza, Capim Macio and

Ponta Negra Ponta Negra (Portuguese: ''Black Tip'') is a beach and neighborhood located in the Brazilian city of Natal, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Located in the extreme south of the beach is the Morro do Careca (Portuguese: ''Bald Man ...

History

The Dunes Park was created by state decree 7,237 of 22 November 1977. It was the first environmental conservation unit in Rio Grande do Norte. The objective is to preserve the natural ecosystems and sites of historical, archaeological and landscape value, protect genetic resources, support research and support leisure, ecotourism, education and ecological awareness. The park has a Management Plan and an Operation Plan that covers environmental management programs, public use and operations. The park has been recognized by

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

as an integral part of the

Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve The Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve, or Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve (MABR, pt, Reserva da Biosfera da Mata Atlântica) is a biosphere reserve covering remnants of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, including fully protected and sustainable use ...

. In 2006 the park benefited from an extensive overhaul of the facilities.

Environment

The vegetation is mainly coastal dune herbs, shrubs and trees, mainly Atlantic Forest but with some species of the

caatinga Caatinga (, ) is a type of semi-arid tropical vegetation, and an ecoregion characterized by this vegetation in interior northeastern Brazil. The name "Caatinga" is a Tupi word meaning "white forest" or "white vegetation" (''caa'' = forest, v ...

and tabuleiro. There are over 270 species of trees in 78 families. Fauna includes over 180 species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates such as butterflies, spiders and scorpions.

Activities

On average there are 150,000 visitors annually. The public use area, the Bosque dos Namorados, covers about and has over 1,300 native Atlantic Forest trees. It contains the park headquarters, visitor center, library, research center, seedling nursery for native species, Brazil wood amphitheater, arts area, artificial lake, environmental control station, playground and track for jogging and hiking. The visitor center holds a permanent exhibition on the park. Three interpretive trails totaling describe elements of the dune ecosystem. The park is managed by IDEMA. The park stages concerts, plays, lectures, exhibitions and workshops. The administration maintains a nursery of native seedlings with a capacity of 16,000 seedlings used for recovery and reforestation. The park managers conduct environmental education programs in the communities that surround the park.

Notes

Sources

* * {{Visitor attractions in Natal Urban public parks State parks of Brazil Protected areas established in 1977 1977 establishments in Brazil Protected areas of Rio Grande do Norte