Ideflor-Bio supports the creation of an Environmental Education Plan for the Municipal Forest of Palestina do Pará
The initiative aims to strengthen socio-environmental awareness and integrate the local community into the preservation process of the area
The Institute for Forest Development and Biodiversity of Pará (Ideflor-Bio), through the Regional Office of Carajás, is providing technical support for the development of the Action and Environmental Education Plan for the Sustainable Use Conservation Unit (UC) of the Municipal Forest Almir Ferreira Barros, in the municipality of Palestina do Pará, in southeastern Pará. The initiative aims to strengthen socio-environmental awareness and integrate the local community into the preservation process of the area.
The Plan is being developed in a participatory manner, involving representatives from the city hall, municipal secretariats, partner institutions, and residents. During a technical visit to the Forest, the Ideflor-Bio team contributed with guidance on structuring activities, identifying needs, and possibilities for integration among different audiences. The adopted methodology reinforces the importance of democratic management of UCs, with decisions made collaboratively.
Among the proposed guidelines is the identification of target audiences – such as the local community, schools, and visitors – and the analysis of the infrastructure and resources available in the UC. The proposal also includes training for teams and volunteers for practical activities, such as workshops, community workdays, and interpretive trails, in addition to fostering partnerships with schools, NGOs, and local institutions. The goal is to transform the Forest into a space for education, leisure, and environmental preservation.
Planning - The annual action calendar will be one of the main products of the Plan, covering significant dates such as World Water Day, Environment Day, and Tree Day. For each period, lectures, thematic workshops, ecological trails, and commemorative events will be organized to encourage public participation and promote closer ties between the community and the UC.
The mayor of Palestina do Pará, Márcio Folha, highlighted the importance of the partnership for strengthening the Forest as a public facility for the population. “I want to thank Ideflor-Bio for this important partnership in building our Municipal Forest. Here we will welcome schools, social assistance teams, and health campaigns. Today we took an important step in defining a calendar that will offer more spaces and conditions for our people. This is our commitment: to work for the municipality and for our population,” he stated.
Ecotourism - The initiative, in addition to promoting environmental education, should also boost sustainable tourism and cultural appreciation. The Municipal Forest Almir Ferreira Barros becomes a strategic space for coexistence, where the community can enjoy educational and recreational activities, strengthening belonging and collective responsibility towards the environment.
According to the manager of the Regional Office of Carajás, Márcio Holanda, Ideflor-Bio's support is an important step towards consolidating environmental management in the municipality. “Our role is to provide technical support to the city hall and the community, so that the Forest becomes a vibrant space for education and preservation. The Action Plan in Environmental Education is a tool that will guide long-term activities, ensuring that the unit fulfills its social and environmental function,” he emphasized.
