Located in the crystal-clear waters of Guarujá, on the north coast of São Paulo, Ilha dos Arvoredos successfully passed the independent audit becoming the first tourist attraction in the Americas to receive the Green Key certification. The Brazilian establishment incorporates environmentally responsible practices into its operations, providing a unique and awareness-raising experience for visitors.
Conceived and designed in 1950 by mechanical engineer and environmentalist Fernando Eduardo Lee, Ilha dos Arvoredos extends over 36 thousand m². The research centre works on and employs technologies focused on the preservation of natural resources. Since 2021, the place has been open for visitors offering a unique experience that combines leisure with education on history, science, and culture. Located in a paradisiacal setting, the island is an ecological refuge that redefines the relationship between comfort and environmental preservation.
Leana Bernardi, representing the National Operator of the Green Key programme in Brazil, expressed her excitement about this significant achievement: "Ilha dos Arvoredos is an inspiring example of how innovation and environmental commitment can converge to create a truly sustainable tourism experience. The Green Key certification recognizes not only the beauty of the site but also the exemplary commitment to eco-friendly practices that shape a greener future for tourism."
The environmental practices adopted by Ilha dos Arvoredos include efficient management of waste and the pioneering use of renewable energy sources. The island is one of the first places in Latin America that incorporate solar panels in their facilities. What is more, the establishment actively promotes environmental education activities for its visitors, contributing to collective sustainability awareness.
To achieve the best outcomes in its educational, scientific, and touristic activities, Ilha dos Arvoredos bases its management system on the Green Key criteria. Through the Sustainable World Project, a partnership between the Fernando Eduardo Lee Foundation (FFEL) and the Nova Maré Institute (INMAR), the island organises collaborative ecotourism experiences, introducing visitors to numerous sustainable practices.
Priscilla Bonini Ribeiro, researcher, and advisor to the Eduardo Lee Foundation elaborated in her doctoral thesis the model of environmental education, underpinning the collaborative visitation program on the island. She commented on the Green Key certification of Ilha dos Arvoredos: "Obtaining the certificate is the materialisation of the desire to present the island as a great environmental reference. We feel extremely honored. It is a source of pride not only for us, researchers, but for all collaborators, partners and, above all, a prestige and reference for the community, so that they recognize and contribute to the actions of preserving our planet for future generations".
Bruno Tacon Cardoso, environmental engineer, and president of the Nova Maré Institute (INMAR) was the person who suggested and enabled the Green Key certification process: "The title of the first sustainable tourist attraction in the Southern Hemisphere and the Americas with the Green Key validates the legacy that Fernando Lee left us. Brazil has been a protagonist in sustainability in the past, and we resume this vision and place Ilha dos Arvoredos as a great symbol of a sustainable future. We have proved that this is feasible, and now we hope to inspire other green spots on the world map of sustainable tourism."
About the Fernando Lee Foundation
Created in 1983 by Fernando Eduardo Lee (considered by many to be the father of Sustainability in Brazil), the Foundation is the holder of the Island concession and was designed to continue the projects in this open-air laboratory for the benefit of Humanity. Over the decades, the Foundation has carried out several studies and projects to promote and disseminate knowledge through the scientific and environmental nature of Ilha dos Arvoredos. Currently, in partnership with UNAERP and INMAR, the dream of Fernando Eduardo Lee is being pursued. By implementing the Sustainable World project, the public can interact with this legacy. The Sustainable World project is based on the doctoral thesis of the Foundation/Unaerp volunteer researcher, Profa. Dr. Priscilla Bonini Ribeiro, who created a model of Environmental Education that the island uses to boost the teaching-learning process, stimulating protagonism and environmental awareness.
To learn more about the research and projects of Ilha dos Arvoredos, visit www.ilhadosarvoredos.com.br or learn more about the attractions on Instagram @ilhadosarvoredosoficial. For collaborative visit scheduling, please refer to the http://tursustentavel.org.br portal.