Nature Protection: the FBCN and Conservation Initiatives in Brazil, 1958-1992

The text evaluates the trajectory of the Fundação Brasileira para a Conservação da Natureza (FBCN, Brazilian Foundation for Nature Conservation). Created in 1958, for about 30 years it was Brazil’s most important non-governmental environmental organization. The text examines its conservation-oriented goals, general strategies, national and international partners, and major hands-on projects and accomplishments. National and international contexts of conservation ideas, science and policies are also considered. Findings show that the FBCN intervened strongly in many inter-related conservation initiatives, working alone or associated with other NGOs, government agencies and businesses. The organization’s decline was associated with the transition to the democratic order that followed a 21-year military dictatorship and with the expanded interest of Brazilians in environmental issues. This allowed the emergence of numerous environmental organizations that eclipsed FBCN. Major sources used are FBCN publications, archival materials and reports, interviews given by its leaders and analytical studies about the organization.The text evaluates the trajectory of the Fundação Brasileira para a Conservação da Natureza (FBCN, Brazilian Foundation for Nature Conservation). Created in 1958, for about 30 years it was Brazil’s most important non-governmental environmental organization. The text examines its conservation-oriented goals, general strategies, national and international partners, and major hands-on projects and accomplishments. National and international contexts of conservation ideas, science and policies are also considered. Findings show that the FBCN intervened strongly in many inter-related conservation initiatives, working alone or associated with other NGOs, government agencies and businesses. The organization’s decline was associated with the transition to the democratic order that followed a 21-year military dictatorship and with the expanded interest of Brazilians in environmental issues. This allowed the emergence of numerous environmental organizations that eclipsed FBCN. Major sources used are FBCN publications, archival materials and reports, interviews given by its leaders and analytical studies about the organization.O texto avalia a trajetória da Fundação Brasileira para a Conservação da Natureza (FBCN). Criada em 1958, ela foi por quase 30 anos a mais importante ONG ambiental brasileira. O texto examina as suas metas conservacionistas estratégias gerais, parceiros nacionais e internacionais, e os principais projetos executivos. São levados em conta os contextos nacional e internacional de ideias, ciência e políticas conservacionistas. Os achados mostram que a FBCN atuou com destaque em muitas ações conservacionistas, isoladamente ou em parceria com outras ONGs, órgãos governamentais e empresas. O declínio da importância da FBCN esteve associado à transição para a democracia que se seguiu a 21 anos de ditadura militar e à consequente ampliação da participação dos brasileiros nas discussões sobre as questões ambientais. Isso propiciou a emergência de numerosas organizações ambientalistas que eclipsaram a FBCN. As principais fontes usadas foram publicações da FBCN, materiais de arquivo, entrevistas com os líderes da FBCN e estudos analíticos sobre a entidade