Young EcoLeaders of the Brazilian Rainforest

Dear donors,

Thanks to you this quarter we were able to bring more children into our Eco Leaders program. Yaay! 

 Our current cohort of Eco Leaders, nine and ten year olds from the local school, was selected by posing them a challenge whereby they were asked to solve an important environmental problem in our region. They were invited to reflect on the challenge, and submit an illustrated text. Those who came up with the most original ideas were asked to join our program.

Students began by walking a forest trail in silence. They were able to see coatis, red headed woodpeckers and even squirrels which are hard to spot in our forests. They used their sense of touch and smell to discover the texture, the scents and the temperature of the forest, to feel the rough bark of the bigger trees, the cold water of the river, and to observe the tiny creatures that live on the forest floor. While listening to the sounds of the forest they made their own sound maps and learned that it’s impossible to be silent in the forest for more than ten seconds without hearing a bird, the sound of the river, or the wind in the trees.

The students learned a lot about the different biomes in Brazil, and found out that the earth under their feet belongs to the biome Atlantic Forest and that they live on the borders of an important State Park called the Serra do Brigadeiro which is constantly under threat from deforestation, fire and mining.

Our Young Eco Leaders still have a long way to travel and many discoveries to make. And it’s only possible because of you. Thank you!

with much love, 

Marina and the Eco Leaders   

Links:

• Iracambi site