IPBio´s long term goal is to create a national network of 5 research centers in every major biome of Brazil. IPBio already has a total of 3 reserves in the Atlantic Forest, Amazon and Cerrado but hopes to purchase and set up research centers in the Pantanal and Caatinga soon. The creation of this national reserve and research center network can provide useful opportunities for research, conservation projects and economic development in the area of sustainable tourism.

The Betary Reserve was the first IPBio research center created in Iporanga (São Paulo) in 2004. This reserve was accredited as an “advanced outpost” of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 2009. The primary focus of research is bioluminescence fungi and insects and amphibians but there are various other projects that occur. We have had scientific publication in the worlds most renowned and prestigious journal such as Science and Nature – Scientific Reports. Moreover, we have a release center called FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine which has worked primarily with birds captured from the illegal trade of wildlife but has also helped release howler monkeys, anteaters and oncillas.

We are now in the process of constructing two new centers. However, our research and education programs in these new biomes have already begun.