Students from São Geraldo do Araguaia explore natural and cultural riches of Serra das Andorinhas during visit to Ideflor-Bio
The program aimed to bring students closer to the natural and cultural riches of the region, as well as to encourage care for the environment and the appreciation of local heritage
A group of students from the Municipal Elementary School Boqueirão, located in São Geraldo do Araguaia, southeastern Pará, visited on this Monday (11) the headquarters of the Administrative Region of Araguaia (GRA) of the Institute for Forest Development and Biodiversity of Pará (Ideflor-Bio). The program was supported by the Municipal Department of Education and aimed to bring students closer to the natural and cultural riches of the region, as well as to encourage care for the environment and the appreciation of local heritage.
The visit began at the Photographic Memorial of Serra das Andorinhas, where students were able to learn, through historical images and landscapes, about the importance of the region for environmental preservation and for the cultural memory of southeastern Pará. The space gathers records of fauna, flora, archaeological sites, and significant moments of conservation, awakening in visitors a more attentive gaze towards the protection of these resources.
Next, the group participated in an educational activity about Agroforestry Systems (SAFs), learning about seedlings of native species and the potential of these practices to generate income, preserve soil, and recover degraded areas. The approach aimed to show that development and conservation can go hand in hand, through sustainable techniques applied to family farming.
The program also included a lecture on the State Park of Serra dos Martírios/Andorinhas, one of the 29 conservation units managed by Ideflor-Bio. Students learned about local biodiversity, the relevance of archaeological sites, and the monitoring and management actions carried out to ensure the integrity of the area, reinforcing the community's role in protecting the park.
Learning - The enthusiasm was evident among the participants. “I really liked seeing the photos and the plants because now I know more about the beautiful things we have here and how to take care of them,” said one of the students. Another classmate added: “I found it amazing to know that the Park has so much history and that we can help protect all of this,” he complemented.
For the manager of the Administrative Region of Araguaia, Laís Mercedes, the initiative is essential for forming conscious citizens. “When we bring children closer to the reality of conservation, we show that they are also protagonists in the protection of our natural and cultural heritage. This experience awakens values that they will certainly carry for their whole lives,” she emphasized.
