MUSEU PARAENSE EMÍLIO GOELDI (M.P,E.G.)

FERREIRA PENNA SCIENTIFIC STATION – ECFPn

CAXIUANÃ – MELGAÇO – PARÁ – BRAZIL

GENERAL INFORMATION ON CAXIUANÃ

The Ferreira Penna Scientific Station (ECFPn) is located in the 300,000 hectare Caxiuanã National Forest, some 400 Km to the west of Pará’s capital city of Belém. [Description and history of ECFPn by the Multi-Taxon Survey of Eastern Amazonia.] As the only scientific research station in the eastern Amazon, its purpose is to conduct scientific research on the natural resources and their proper use, as well as studying the regional cultures and improving the quality of life among the local people.

At Caxiuanã, you will have the opportunity to become acquainted with the research underway in the forest, the way of life of local people who live by the river and are called “ribeirinhos”. You will also be able to explore the natural settings of the area, hiking in the forest, canoeing the streams, and making short trips by motor boat.

GETTING THERE

You travel from Belém to the interior city of Breves on Ilha de Marajó by river boat or plane. The journey from Breves to Caxiuanã is by motorized launch and takes about eight hours. This trip can also be made by speed boat, reducing the time of journey to only 4 hours. The trip is always a pleasant experience.

The Station offers first-class lodging in private apartments and houses, all with attached, private bathrooms. Other facilities include the game room, computer room, library, restaurant, nurse’s clinic, auditorium, and laundry. Well-marked trails in the forest lead to adventure and to a 54-meter tall observation tower for a visit to the top of the forest.

Both apartments and houses are modern and well-maintained. Bedrooms have three single beds, ceiling fans, and private bathrooms with showers. Houses have refrigerators. Both houses and apartments have verandas.

The Station has twin diesel generators for supplying 110 and 220 volt electricity for the base. In addition, solar panels provide illumination of the kitchen and hallways. The generators are turned off at 11:00 p.m. unless electricity is specially requested. After that time, lights are maintained only at the living room and some other common areas. Water is from a deep well and guaranteed pure by constant testing.

Specially designed for watching TV, conversing with the staff or visitors, the Station’s several comfortable common rooms provide a relaxing setting for sharing the day’s discoveries and adventures.

After walking through the forest, or padding along forest streams, visitors will enjoy the Station’s rec rooms, where they can relax, listen to music, and have fun playing cards, dominos, or chess.

Rooms are available for screening videos and for classes or meetings. The auditorium seats 60 people in comfort and has projection equipment. The library holds about 1000 volumes in Portuguese and English, on subjects related to Amazon research.

Experienced forest guides are available to accompany hikers. These men are local residents who used to live by fishing and farming, as well as Brazil nut collecting, and now participate, in the research being conducted at the Station. They will be proud to tell you what they know about the forest that is also their home.

Laundry is washed in machines and dried in the sun. The service costs extra and in charged by the load. A well-equipped nurse’s clinic and first aid Station serves the Station and the surrounding communities. The Station is a healthy place, and no malaria has been registered locally.

Crafts made by local residents in Caxiuanã can be purchased at the Station. These include wood sculptures, ceramics, and natural fibers. In addition, the store offers candied tropical fruit, buttons, caps, shirts, souvenir decals, Goeldi Museum publications, and sundries.

RESEARCH AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MARIA DO SOCORRO ALMEIDA
Emílio Goeldi Paraense Museum – MPEG
Ferreira Penna Scientific Station – ECFPn
Perimetral Avenue, Research Campus, n.º 1901
P.º 399
66.077-530 - Belém – Pará – Brazil

International Calls: (55-91) 217-6058 / 217-6075/ 274-3844

E-mail: caxiuana@museu-goeldi.br

Home page: www.museu-goeldi.br

LINKS:

Worldtwitch Brazil - Rare Bird Reports, Birding Trip Reports, Books on Brazil Natural History, and Brazil Travel Links

Multi-Taxon Survey of Eastern Amazonia at Ferreira Penna Scientific Station

Caxiuanã Trip Report with photos

Climate Kaleidoscope - Includes an article about erecting the tower at Caxiuanã

Ecolodges of the World Home Page