- Biological Reserves
- National System of Conservation Units (SNUC)
- Non-Governmental Environmentalist Organizations
- Registered Natural Areas and Other Protected Areas
Under the heading of environmentalist or non governmental environmental bodies, a substantial system of organizations has been playing an increasingly important role in the definition and execution of Brazilian policy within the sector. This is a universal phenomenon that has demonstrated a great capacity for articulation and interaction in an agile and productive manner with other similar organizations at national and international level. In addition to the strictly environmentalist organizations that are mentioned here, there are others concerned with social issues that have become integrated with those that are more focused on the conservation of nature. This co-operation has been increasing, especially since the raising of awareness in relation to the fundamental need to put in place sustained development with the best formula capable to harmonize and establish the most durable measures to protect our ecosystems.
Brazilian participation in this process started back in the 1950s with several pioneering initiatives. Then came the affiliation of some institutions with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In the 1970s, Brazil began to co-operate with the World Wildlife Fund but it was after 1972, the year of the Stockholm Conference, that the issue really began to gather momentum. With the passing of Law n. 6938 in 1981 defining Brazil’s environmental policy, these associations began to become integrated within environmental councils both nationally and in the various states. Eco 92 created a kind of boom amongst environmental organizations in the form of foundations, associations, societies of friends of parks and many others. At the same time, networks began to be organized more comprehensively and specific non governmental organization networks become active both nationally and world-wide.
To summarize, the return of democracy to Brazil brought with it increasingly organized participation at all levels of society. Particularly in the area of the environment, this participation has been on a large scale and highly active and it is the NGOs who have been in the vanguard, representing a powerful force because they have an ideological interest and a keenness to see their aims realized. They also represent a type of awareness or civic reserve that can provide resistance when necessary or the upholding of important ideals. By growing and becoming consolidated they have won over a significant proportion of society.