Vale Natural Reserve
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Have you ever thought about visiting a practically intact portion of the Atlantic Forest and still enjoying several ecological tourism options?
The Vale Natural Reserve, located in Linhares-ES, is an official space for conservation and scientific research, since 1978, which has several leisure options. Browse the page and learn more about the location.
Photographer: Bruno Coelho - F/Still Fotografia
Where we are
Where is it located?
Rodovia BR 101, KM 122
Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
Distance from the main capitals
162.3 km from Vitória (ES)
686 km from Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
632 km from Belo Horizonte (MG)
Opening hours
Tuesdays to Sundays, from 8:30 am to 4 pm.
*The visitation sector of the Vale Natural Reserve is reopened to the public, with the exception of some areas such as the hotel and restaurant, which remain closed.
Entry is free!
Leisure and knowledge: What to expect from the Vale Natural Reserve?
With 23,000 hectares, covering an area equivalent to 23,000 football fields, the Vale Natural Reserve is part of the Green and Water Circuit, one of the main tourist routes in Espírito Santo.
There, in addition to the attractions for visitors – such as an observation tower (under maintenance), trails, a playground, a place for a picnic, an exhibition on the Atlantic Forest (under maintenance), among others – important conservation and research work is carried out. Already catalogued:
2,335
plant species
1,500
insects
103
mammals
402
birds
59
amphibians
66
reptiles
Schedule of the month
Check out what will happen in the Vale Natural Reserve this month
What to do in the Vale Natural Reserve?
Browse through the items below and learn more about each of the attractions that are there for you at the Vale Natural Reserve:
Atlantic Forest Permanent Exhibition Center (under maintenance)
Atlantic Forest Permanent Exhibition Center
With collections of insects, plants, seeds, fruits and wood, the Vale Natural Reserve Exhibition Center provides visitors with an experience full of knowledge about the riches of the Atlantic Forest.
In addition to the samples, the place also has an anthill, a bird room with full-size replicas and a room that tells a little about Vale's operations in Brazil and around the world.
Anthill
Anthill
You have certainly heard the expression “little ant work” and, at the Vale Natural Reserve, you will have the opportunity to understand how a colony of leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta, known as saúvas, is organized.
In the Anthill, it is possible to observe that each one plays a specific role for the group and uses the cut leaves to grow fungi in their nests, which serve as food.
Bird Hall
Bird Hall
In a space characterized by forests, 51 pairs of birds of recurrent species in the Reserve are exposed. The birdlife is one of the greatest riches in terms of biodiversity in the Vale Natural Reserve. There, more than 400 species have already been recorded.
In the Bird Hall, visitors have the possibility to observe the varied physical characteristics between males and females of the same species – the so-called sexual dimorphism – which makes the color, the shape of the feathers and even the size of the individuals differ.
In many cases, such variations are related to the male individuals' dispute for the right to reproduce, using the characteristics to impress the females.
Sensory Garden
Sensory Garden
In the Sensory Garden, visitors are invited to sensitively explore the five senses of the human body.
The stimulus takes place through plants and materials present in the place, generating a feeling of well-being and retrieval of memories.
Playground
Playground
At the Vale Natural Reserve, the whole family is welcome. While adults contemplate the peacefulness of the environment, children have a Playground to enjoy.
The space is located in the visitor center and is a guaranteed success among the kids, since playing is essential for children's development.
Ecological Library
Ecological Library
With children's books and various educational toys available, children's imagination is stimulated at the Ecological Reserve of Vale Natural Reserve. The playful and cozy environment was designed especially for children.
Workshop Room
Workshop Room
The Vale Natural Reserve has a space designed to share sustainable attitudes. With the help of environmental educators, visitors can enjoy the Workshop Room, participating in various activities offered.
The main focus of the workshops is to give new life to recyclable materials – which are transformed into gift boxes, trinket box, potted plants and other various items – in addition to sharpening children’s creativity and imagination, while collaborating with the environment.
Indoor Soccer and Beach Soccer Fields
Indoor Soccer and Beach Soccer Fields
The beach soccer and indoor soccer fields with natural grass allow the practice of sports in the midst of nature, with balls and nets available for use by visitors on site. The space is open to the community, by appointment. Periodically, the Vale Natural Reserve (RNV) team also holds sporting events, which provide moments of integration and fun for all ages.
Tree of happiness
Tree of happiness
In the Tree of Happiness, the visitor finds inspiring words hanging like fruits, promoting unique experiences.
Pond
Pond
In the pond, the visitor has the opportunity to contemplate different species of native fauna and flora.
Meliponary
Meliponary
Bees play a fundamental role in the reproduction of most Brazilian botanical species and are important bioindicators of the quality of the environment.
In the Meliponary of Vale Natural Reserve, hives of different species of stingless bees are cultivated, such as jataí, mosquitinho and uruçu-amarela.
Cactus Collection
Cactus Collection
The Cactus Collection of Vale Natural Reserve brings together about 35 native and exotic species of cacti and succulents nationwide, planted in beds amidst characteristic vegetation (phytophysiognomy) called Muçununga, included within the Atlantic Forest biome, with a sandier soil profile.
In space, species of cactus can be found, as well as desert rose and even aloe, which are commonly confused with cacti, but are not. This is because every cactus has thorns, but not everything that has thorns is necessarily a cactus.
Trails
Trails
The walks along the trails of the Vale Natural Reserve provide moments of direct contact with nature, where visitors can closely appreciate plants and wild animals.
Upon prior appointment, visitors of all ages and children, from 6 years old, have several options of guided trails to go along.
It is important to note that the use of long pants and closed shoes is mandatory, in addition to the use of leg protections, provided by the team of environmental instructors of the Reserve.
Entomological Collection
Entomological Collection
The collection, started in 1986, currently has more than 12,600 specimens of insects belonging to different groups. Most of them are dry preserved on entomological pins.
The specimens present in the collection have great relevance for the development of research. In addition, they are also used as a teaching tool in environmental education activities.
Herbarium
Herbarium
The herbarium is formed by a collection of plants that gathers flowers, fruits and spores preserved in dry condition, with each plant sample called an exsiccata. The observation of the herbarium allows the understanding of the diversity of plant species present in the region.
Founded in 1963, the herbarium of the Vale Natural Reserve has more than 17,000 exsiccates in its collection, belonging to different groups of plants, some of which are rare, endemic and even threatened species.
Xylotheque
Xylotheque
The Xylotheque is a botanical collection made up of wood samples, which are cataloged and stored in order to preserve their main physical characteristics. Essential for the scientific study of species, the Xylotheque gathers a large amount of data, such as: hardness, color, density, core, rigidity, among other aspects.
The Vale Nature Reserve currently has around 596 samples in the form of clubs or small cubes, 96 samples of woody vines, and 212 histological sheets of vegetation, which are cross-sectional and longitudinal sections of wood, widely used for the study of vegetal anatomy.
Sementeca
Sementeca
Sementeca, as the botanical collection of seeds became known, has about 567 specimens of 552 species, contributing to the generation of new individuals for nature. Comprised exclusively of samples of tree species, the seeds from the Vale Natural Reserve accumulate information on seed durability (orthodox/recalcitrant), color, size, type, weight, dispersion, among other data, also analyzed in association with the seedling nursery.
Carpoteca
Carpoteca
The collection stores dry fruits and in liquid medium, when very fleshy. The most interesting and valid information refers to the forms of dispersion. The heavier and more fleshy fruits are generally dispersed by animals, known as zoochoric dispersion; the lighter ones, floating and often winged, are carried away by the action of the wind (anemochoria); and there are also those that are dispersed by the action of water (hydrochory).
The Carpoteca of the Vale Natural Reserve brings together around 623 fruits of 597 species.
Atlantic Forest Lives Collection
Atlantic Forest Lives Collection
The animals that inhabit the Reserve are very smart and tend to hide when they perceive our presence. With this in mind, the Reserve created the Vidas da Mata Atlântica Collection to publicize the fauna protected in the area. The collection contains 15 specimens, made up of life-size replicas of mammals, birds and reptiles.
Observation Tower (under maintenance)
Observation Tower
The observation tower is an attraction that promotes the contemplation of nature in a different way, since from the top it is possible to observe a green carpet, formed by the treetops of the Hileia Baiana's forest. Arriving at the last platform, the visitor is faced with a viewpoint of 25 meters of altitude, equivalent to an 8-story building, being able to appreciate the nature and contemplate its diversity and beauty.
Urban Arboretum
Urban Arboretum
The Urban Arboretum is a collection of plants in the “open-air showcase” model, with trees native and exotic to Brazil, including pau brasil, aroeira and different species of angico and ipê. Currently, the collection has 185 species.
The space provides contemplation, environmental education, research, teaching material and obtaining propagules (e.g., seeds).
Arboretum
Arboretum
It has about 330 native and exotic tree species, with 10 specimens together, respecting a space of 5 meters between the plots, according to a pertinent methodology for better adaptation to the favorable conditions of the species.
The main objective of this collection, which began to be formed in the 80s, is to monitor the behavior of species in the same light condition, evaluating their crowns, roots, health and their phenologies (flowers and fruits).
Palmetto
Palmetto
The Palmetto is a collection of native and exotic palm trees, which includes about 144 species. In addition to cultural aspects and landscape harmonization, the objective is to characterize the performance of each species under local conditions and, therefore, encourage its broad use in different projects and strengthen the seed bank for propagation.
Palm trees are among the oldest plants on the planet and their origin dates back more than 120 million years, being characteristic plants of the tropical flora.
Bird Watching
Bird Watching
The Vale Natural Reserve is home to more than 400 species of birds, which corresponds to approximately 20% of the species recorded throughout Brazil. Among them are the red-billed curassow (Crax blumenbachii), one of the darlings of bird watchers, and the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), living in the Atlantic Forest canopy, both endangered species.
The reserve receives hundreds of bird watchers every year, from different parts of Brazil and the world. The activity consists of a sustainable, low-impact type of tourism that encourages the practice of citizen science, since in addition to helping in environmental preservation, it is an alternative to generate income for local communities.
How about getting to know
Vale without leaving home?
Usage Rules
To ensure that the experience at the Reserve is the best possible, all visitors must follow some rules of coexistence. Check it out below:
Photographer: Bruno Coelho - F/Still Fotografia
- Be very careful when using bicycles, skates, skateboards, scooters and other similar equipment. Improper use may cause accidents and are the sole responsibility of the visitor.
- The use of ATVs in the Reserve area is prohibited.
- We have a flow of wild animals and pedestrians on the roads, so don't exceed the limit of 30 km/h.
- It is forbidden to stop or park on the access roads and vehicle movement, use the parking lots, it is mandatory to park in reverse.
- High volume sound is not allowed out of respect for the environment and the people who share this space with you.
- All garbage must be deposited in appropriate places, always respecting the selective collection.
- The use of drones is only allowed with the authorization of ANAC and prior permission of the RNV manager.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages in the Reserve area.
- Leafleting and/or advertising is not allowed.
- It is forbidden to make fire, barbecue, hunt, fish and camping in the Reserve.
- Do not share single use items. Bring your individual bottle to drink water and stay hydrated, as we do not provide disposable cups at the Reserve.
- Do not access restricted areas. In case of doubt about the visitor access area, consult our Public Use Map or ask our employees.
- Self-guided trails must be done with caution and respect for nature.
- The Pequi Vinagreiro Trail can only be carried out with the accompaniment of the Environmental Instructor at the scheduled times.
- To go along the trails it is mandatory to be 6 years old or older, wear long pants, shirt and closed shoes.
- Be careful when walking in the forest, pay attention to where you step and where you put your hand.
- Do not feed or get close to the animals.
- The entry of domestic animals is prohibited, as they may cause problems for wild fauna or acquire zoonoses.
- The works must be carried out within the opening hours of the Reservation (Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 4 pm).
- The use of the space for filming and/or photographs for commercial and/or media dissemination purposes must be previously scheduled and can only be carried out with the authorization of the management.
- The material damage caused to the space, by the photographer, the video maker or his clients, will be their sole and exclusive responsibility.
- RNV will not be responsible for equipment, objects and materials left in any premises of the place.
- The use of electrical power points available in common areas to recharge equipment is the sole responsibility of the customer.
- Rehearsals wearing bikinis, underwear, lingerie, must be informed in advance.
- The use of drones is only allowed with the authorization of ANAC and prior permission of the RNV manager.
- Failure to comply with the rules will result in a 30-day suspension of the right to photograph in the area.
- It is not allowed to photograph inside the forest without authorization (restricted area).
- It is forbidden to climb, stick, hang, pierce or nail balloons, banners, flags and any other objects on trees, toys and building structures.
- Partial and/or total blocking of the bathrooms is not allowed, making access difficult, due to the use of photographic materials, clothes, makeup, hangers, among others.
- Picnics must be held within the opening hours of the Reservation (Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm).
- Covered structures are not scheduled for picnics (Spaces for rent).
- The picnic must be held only in the visitation area, being allowed to use the existing wooden tables or bring towels to cover the lawn.
- All waste generated must be segregated according to selective collection, and it is not allowed to leave bags with waste in any environment.
- The use of electrical power points available in common areas to recharge equipment is the visitor's responsibility.
- The Vale Natural Reserve is not responsible for equipment, objects and materials left in any premises of the place.
- It is not allowed to bring food that refers to lunch.
Research and scientific production: what has been done?
One of the main actions developed at the Vale Natural Reserve is the work of research and scientific production. Studies on the biodiversity present in the approximately 23 thousand hectares are essential for the conservation and management of the forest, in addition to the educational role for society.
To support some of these studies, the site houses a nursery, an extensive entomological collection, with several species of insects, and a herbarium, with collections of plants.
Find out more about ongoing studies:
Entomological Collection
1,500 species identified
12,600 specimens of insects
Herbarium
More than 17,000 plant samples.
Meliponary
Hives of different species of stingless bees
Botanical Collections
Urban Arboretu
185 species of arboreal, shrub or herbaceous plants
Arboretum
330 species of native and exotic trees
Palmetto
Collection of palm trees that includes about 144 species
Pomar
105 species of fruit trees from different regions of the world
Photographer: Bruno Coelho - F/Still Fotografia
Do you want further information about the Vale Natural Reserve?
Contact the team:
Visits:
(27) 3371-9702
(27) 3371-9703
reservanatural@vale.com
Accommodation
Hotel and restaurant closed
Vale
Initiatives
You are accessing the experience:
Country Code: US
IP Address: 18.232.179.37
IP Address: 18.232.179.37
© Vale | All rights reserved.
Vale
Initiatives
You are accessing the experience:
© Vale | All rights reserved.