Lami José Lutzenberger Biological Reserve, Biological reserve in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The Lami José Lutzenberger Biological Reserve is a 204-hectare protected area on the southern edge of Porto Alegre featuring wetlands, reed beds, and riparian forests. These different habitats work together to create a complex ecosystem where water, plants, and trees interact.

The reserve was established in 1975 as Brazil's first municipal protected area of its kind. Its creation marked an important moment for safeguarding native species, including the endangered plant Ephedra tweediana.

The reserve takes its name from environmentalist José Lutzenberger, reflecting how the city honors those dedicated to nature protection. Walking through the area, you notice how people value these wetlands as part of their natural heritage.

Visiting requires advance permission and is typically limited to educational institutions and researchers who can participate in guided walks. It helps to contact the reserve ahead of time and check current access conditions to confirm a visit is possible.

The reserve was created in 1975 to protect Ephedra tweediana, one of only three native gymnosperms in Brazil and a plant considered endangered. That single-species goal ended up safeguarding the restinga forest where it grows, one of Rio Grande do Sul's most threatened ecosystems.