Students experience learning with nature in the Serra das Andorinhas
Visit of 2nd year students from the Integrated High School of the Federal Institute of Pará (IFPA), from Marabá, sought new knowledge about environmental management
A whole day of learning, enthusiasm, and direct contact with nature, on Thursday (9), marked the visit of 2nd year students from the Integrated High School of the Federal Institute of Pará (IFPA) - Rural Campus of Marabá, to the base of the Administrative Region of Araguaia of the Institute of Forest Development and Biodiversity of Pará (Ideflor-Bio), in São Geraldo do Araguaia. The activity, which also included a trail to the Quarta Queda Waterfall, in the Serra dos Martírios/Andorinhas State Park, aimed to bring students closer to the conservation and environmental management actions developed in the region.
The visit was joyfully received by the Ideflor-Bio team and the trail guides from the Association of Volunteer Environmental Conductors (GAAV), who energized the start of the program with their traditional war cry. The atmosphere of enthusiasm infected the visitors and set the tone for the journey that united environmental education, tourism, and practical experience in one of the most beautiful and preserved areas of southeastern Pará.
“We work with joy and a lot of energy on the trails. Our war cry is a way to celebrate nature and infect the group to fully experience the adventure. With each step, the visitor feels the strength of the mountain and understands the value of being in a place like this,” said Hilva Liar, president of GAAV, during the reception of the students, accompanied by applause and voices echoing the vibrant refrain: “Mountain! Mountain! Mountain!”.
Learning - During the visit, students were able to learn about the structure of the Ideflor-Bio base, which houses the Photographic Memorial of the Serra das Andorinhas, where information about the fauna, flora, and conservation work developed in the region is available.
The manager of the Araguaia Administrative Region, Laís Mercedes, highlighted the importance of actions like this to strengthen the bond between youth and conservation units. “It’s a wonderful moment of exchange and learning. Here, students learn about biodiversity, the Serra das Andorinhas, conservation units, and, more than that, they experience all of this up close. We are always open to welcoming schools and groups that want to learn about our work and our natural beauties,” she stated.
The Serra dos Martírios/Andorinhas State Park is one of the most important natural heritage sites in southeastern Pará, known for its rock formations, rock paintings, and the exuberance of its waterfalls and trails. The guided visit to the Quarta Queda was one of the highlights of the program, providing young people with a “practical lesson” on ecosystems, geodiversity, and the importance of environmental conservation.
Experience in Practice - For Professor Claudionísio Araújo, from IFPA – Rural Campus of Marabá, the experience was formative and inspiring. “It was a very interesting experience, with a lot of information about biodiversity and conservation. The students were able to learn from the content presented at the base and now have the opportunity to see up close what they study in the classroom. It’s a learning experience that stays in memory,” emphasized the educator.
The students also shared their enchantment with the experience. One of them highlighted her interest in discovering new landscapes and learning about the region. “I found the visit very interesting and I am looking forward to seeing the waterfall. It’s an incredible opportunity to understand more about the environment and local culture,” she said. Ana Paula, a classmate, added: “It’s a different experience from our reality, and we will definitely take many memories and learnings from here.”
The collective feeling at the end of the journey was one of gratitude and enthusiasm. The Ideflor-Bio team celebrated the success of the activity and reinforced their commitment to environmental education and the appreciation of natural heritage. “It was a pleasure to welcome this lively group from IFPA – Marabá Campus! Moments like this strengthen the bond between society and conservation units, showing that protecting nature is also an act of learning and citizenship,” concluded Laís Mercedes.
