Miniforests in Schools
Brasilien91.5 Qualitätsbewertung
Our project aims to create Miyawaki miniforests in public schools in Brazil, engaging local communities and educating the next generation about climate change. These efforts are crucial as the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered and biodiverse biomes, faces severe threats. Since 2018, we have planted thousands of native trees to support the regeneration of this vital ecosystem.
Mini Forest became super schools
formigas-de-embaúba is doing very important work with environmental education through the planting of native mini-forests by students in public schools in Brazil. I have been following their work closely, supporting the planning of the planting and maintenance of their mini-forests. It would be importante to secure more funds for this projects, so can scale and bring the Atlantic Forests back to more schools.
I hold a Ph.D. in Ecology of the Restoration of Tropical Forests from the University of São Paulo and carried out work on forest management and forest regeneration with a focus on agroforestry in several biomes in Brazil, including the Amazon, Caatinga and Atlantic Forest, and in Central America
Fachwissen: PhD Forest Restoration
Brings together very important aspects
I am very happy to find a serious project that unites what is most needed to develop, environmental education with children and reforestation. Congratulations for the initiative and for making it happen so consistently.
Forests to regenerate the environment, educate and heal people
The mini-forests we've been planting in public schools in São Paulo are part of an ongoing pedagogical process with children. We plant inspired by the Myiawaki method as well as by local references on agroforestry and agroecology. Our most recent plantings were carried out in October 2021, and in April 2022 there’s already a noticeable increase in life in the areas: butterflies and other insects are flying around, the litter-protected soil shows signs of microbiota activity due to litter decomposition, abundant spontaneous plants grew, along with planted seedlings, and even small mammals were seen hanging out! Besides contributing to water infiltration into the soil, soil structure and microbiota, carbon sequestration and biodiversity, formigas-de-embaúba project's mini-forests are part of an environmental education process with school children who are learning in practice concepts of ecosystems restoration and the relationship between environment, human life and all Earthly beings. Not only children, but the entire school and surrounding community can enjoy contact with a richer environment where little forests were implanted. As is well known, proximity to nature contributes to the ability to deal with difficult life situations in a healthy way (Wells & Evans, 2003). Formigas-de-embaúba project's mini-forests act simultaneously in environmental regeneration, environmental education and people's health.
I hold a bachelor in biology from the University of São Paulo and have been working in the planting and maintenance of these mini-forests.
Fachwissen: Biologist
Future Forest Schools
I’m very happy to take part of this project, helping to rewild schools in the great São Paulo area together with students! I have been working with them supporting the planting and maintenance of the mini-forests, and can say that this organization is taking amazing care of these new green areas now being used as open classrooms. We have been following the principles of the Miyawaki Method for our mini-forests, with intense soil preparation and then periodic maintenance ensuring that these trees grow to become mini-Atlantic Forests inside schools.
Fachwissen: Agroforest Gardner
Great project which is getting teachers and kids together Planting trees
Hi, I am Pete Webb and have been working with agroforestry since around 1985/6 in Brasil (the Mantiqueira Atlantic Forest in Minas Gerais) 14 years.
Then in and around Sao Paulo state with consultancy and agroforest activities together with Eco pasychology with Gaia Education, and various other groups and organizations for the next 30 or more years.
I have been involved with Formigas de Embauba since its beginning as somewhat of a consultant because of my work with Nature and children and adults, as well as planting trees with some of the originators of this group.
The project is going really well in helping boyh teachers and children to be protagonists in the regeneration of not only their school grounds, but also areas in their mostly urban environments.
In Brazil, taking care of plants such as trees has been considered a lowly type of job for the poor and under educated and so has always suffered in the publics eyes. But the manner which Formigas de Embauba is working with teachers and students is getting great results and more children are learning to take care of their environment and are being proud of their work. Many teachers have rediscovered that they too enjoy being creative outside with the children , their student, and together they are proud of their results and can take their experiences and reflections into the class rooms as well as into the houses and apartment buildings where the children live. The community benefits from these activities in a very positive way, as they enjoy seeing the kids together doing something for the environment as well as being constructive together.
I am very proud to be able to help in this venture and hope that it has a long future and can touch other municipalities and spread throughout the country; who knows they can inspire other countries too.
If you want to get to know me a bit better there are some things of mine on Youtube that you can verify. I don't have a web-site or do Facebook any more
Fachwissen: Agrofloresta / Horticultura / Agricultura Bio Dinamica
Perfect Project
formigas-de-embaúba brings together the best in education and in rewilding our cities, and it’s the perfect project for our current challenges in São Paulo, bringing the urgency of ecosystem regeneration and climate change mitigation to the new generations.
We have been major contributors since the end of 2020, when they were finishing their pilots phase and starting a growth phase, and had been awarded a prize for social innovation to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Brazil.
The students love being in the mini-forest
They have planted a mini-forest together CEU's Campo Limpo school community in 2021, in partnership with us. I've been following their amazing peoject as an Education Coordinator, and can say that is a having amazing results: the students love being in the mini-forest and tree and other plants have been growing amazingly well. It's great to count with their supoort for the maintenance of the are as well."
CEU CAMPO LIMPO
An exemplary organization
The formigas-de-embaúba is an exceptional organization. It has an extremely committed and dedicated team.
I participated in a planting crowd at CEU Cidade Dutra and it was an unforgettable experience. Seeing the joy and commitment of children participating in the planting of mini forests was exciting. It's even more beautiful now to be able to follow how communities have committed and engagement to the maintenance of miniforests.
Wonderfull Project
“It’s amazing to see their mini-forests! I’ve visited some of the schools and took part in the planting and coordination of the logistics of the plantings. I’m very happy to take part of this project, seeing the benefits for the communities supported. Hope that this project expands to new areas and new public schools in Brazil.”