Global Service Learning through Green Mapping Tourism Development in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

Abstract

Paraty Green Map is a global social responsibility service learning project that promotes sustainable tourism development in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. This project is based on the development of public-private partnerships including universities, the businesses, citizens, and local governments in the United States and Brazil and the United Nations. Paraty Green Map is a project which incorporates “high technology” in the form of web based information sharing and collaboration and “high touch” involving person to person interviews and collaborations within the local community in Paraty, Brazil. The purpose of this project is to reorient tourism activity to those locations that support the local community, maintain ecological integrity, and develop cultural heritage. Students and faculty developed a Green Map Survey instrument; interviewed citizens to learn of the cultural and ecological history; documented sustainable local businesses; and collaboratively designed web pages and an interactive map on the World Wide Web featuring those locations meeting the criteria of being sustainable. Students were able to increase their understanding of international sustainability issues and the challenges and opportunities of working in international partnerships. The outcomes of this project are: 1) student learning through active service in the community and 2) use of technology for the promotion of sustainable tourism practices in Paraty, Brazil.