Ecological rowing mobilizes volunteers and transforms reality in the APA of Combu Island
Activity along the channels and banks of the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of Combu Island, in the island region of Belém, has transformed into a collective action of environmental care and social belonging
The second edition of the "Caminhos do Arari" rowing event brought together volunteers for a journey of cleaning, active listening, and mobilization in defense of local ecosystems. On a day of clear skies and tides of hope, what could have been just another outing along the channels and banks of the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of Combu Island, in the island region of Belém, transformed into a collective action of environmental care and social belonging.
The action is carried out by Ozone Conexão Natureza, in partnership with the Institute for Forest Development and Biodiversity of Pará (Ideflor-Bio). Since 2020, the project has brought together efforts from public institutions, sponsors like Recicle and Agência Eko, and supporters such as Bein Construções, Alanshaster, Remo Guajará, Geamaz/UFPA, and Amazônia Aventura. Focusing on the APA of Combu Island, the initiative aims to promote ecological awareness that goes beyond the one-time act of cleaning, embracing sports, citizen science, and environmental education as structural axes.
During the rowing event, participants - including residents, activists, athletes, and researchers - divided into canoes and boards along the streams and channels of the island, mapping critical points and collecting solid waste from the waters. All material was subsequently sent for sorting in Belém, with logistical support from Recicle, which also works on the proper disposal of waste and strengthening recycling cooperatives. The action reinforces the commitment to a circular economy and social sustainability.
Satisfaction - “The rowing is more than just a cleanup. It is an experience of belonging, a movement of reconnection with the rivers and forests that sustain our urban and cultural life,” highlighted Sylvia Gaioso, the project's creator. For her, initiatives like this show that it is possible to combine leisure, science, and environmental responsibility in a transformative way: “The project has already expanded, and today we are developing more institutional partnerships to build something more solid and meaningful within this area of environmental preservation.”
The last edition, held in January of this year, was marked by an important gravimetric study of the collected waste, which allowed for understanding the profile of the trash affecting the region. A total of 319.3 kilograms of waste was collected, of which 82.8 kilograms were glass and 63.2 kilograms were styrofoam. The data raises alarms and highlights the complexity of pollution in Amazonian waters, requiring solutions adapted to local specificities.
Awareness - For Júlio Meyer, manager of the Administrative Region of Belém at Ideflor-Bio, the action reinforces the importance of public awareness and shared management of natural resources. “Our goal is to raise awareness in society about the preservation of Combu Island and the proper management of waste in the city. It was very cool to see so many people engaged for the same purpose,” he stated.
The integrated action of the involved institutions has also generated concrete impacts on the lives of local communities. In addition to promoting the cleaning of the waters, the Remada Caminhos do Arari has contributed to social inclusion, income generation through recycling, and the appreciation of traditional knowledge. All of this reinforces the role of the APA of Combu Island as a living space for environmental protection and sustainable development.
Júlio Meyer concludes by stating that, through the strength of unity and the rhythm of the paddles, the participants leave a legacy that transcends the surface of the waters. “With each edition, the Remada Caminhos do Arari reaffirms that preserving the Amazonian rivers is a collective duty — and that every conscious gesture can be a seed of change,” emphasized the manager.
With information from Ozone Conexão Natureza
