Reforesting the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil

The SINAL reforesation project continues to expand out into new areas that need reforesting.  At the end of May, students from Canisius College in Buffalo New York came to SINAL for a week long learning journey on sustainability in the Mata Atlantica. On day 4 of their journey, they spent the afternoon planting trees in a new area that the SINAL team had recently cleared for planting. For many of the students, it was the first tree they had ever planted, so everyone was very excited. One professor said that she felt it was one of the best and most meaningful experiences of her life because she felt she was truly contributing to something important in the world. Everyone had the opportunity to plant and dig holes. The physical experience of planting is very much a team-building activity, as well as a chance to reconnect students with nature. We made a sign that said "Canto do Canisius" - which means Canisius' Corner in Portuguese. All the students and teachers took photos in front of it and could not wait to come back next year to see how they had grown.