Mata da Estrela Private Natural Heritage Reserve, Private natural heritage reserve in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
Mata da Estrela is a private nature reserve near Baía Formosa that features dense forest, sand dunes, and a dark-colored lagoon called Araraquara. The land holds rare animal species and old-growth woodland that forms part of the Atlantic Forest system.
The reserve was founded in 2000 as a protected area for Atlantic Forest remnants. The initiative arose from the need to preserve these important woodlands from further loss.
Indigenous Potiguar tribes inhabited this area before colonization, relying on forest resources for their traditional way of life.
Visitors can walk marked trails to observe the forest and wildlife of the reserve. It is best to go with local guides, as they know the best routes and where to spot animals and plants.
The name comes from the original star-shaped form of the forest, which stretched across five different points in the region. This unusual geometric layout made the area distinctive and shaped its identity.
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