Promoting Environmental Education at the Geographical Space of the Pati Cua Stream´ Basin

Palavecino José

doi:10.11648/j.ajaf.20170506.12

Abstract

The obtained results at the studies previously made on the Pati Cua basin (Eldorado, province of Misiones), reveal a slow deforestation of the Paranaense Forest (Atlantic Forest); with the aggravating of the biodiversity loss and the elimination of the protective forests, which turns into a severe warning about the quality of the water, due to anthropic activities. After seeing this panorama, the need for address the problem emerged and there were made several necessary actions in order to make people aware of it, and to reestablish the environmental balance; working side by side with the people and institutions inserted at the geographical space of the basin. Into the main objectives for this Environmental Education´ project, it is the one about to encourage an interinstitutional approaching for the environmental education linking University – Schools – Municipality and Neighborhood Commissions. The lines of actions were: masterly classes at schools, replanting of several native species at the stream coasts, and an active participation in schools´ Science Fairs, among others. And of all the obtained results, it is remarkable the continuous formation of the teachers and students facing the problematic; the elaboration of educative material; several distinctions at the Science Fairs; implantation of essays about native species at the stream coasts; the commitment of the neighborhood commissions for the protection of the forests; and the continuation of the exhibitions concerning environmental education. As a conclusion, it is affirmed that the actions done generated a high commitment level by every intervenient sector. Of the students involved, it is remarkable their determination to continuing the lines of action; as for their teachers, it is notable their permanent formation and approaching on the environmental topic into the curricular contents. And for the institutions, it is manifested a high commitment level on continuing the planned lines of action, in order to improve the life´ quality at the geographic space of the basin of the Pati Cua stream, and its influence area.

Highlights

Environmental Education (EA) is a process in which are formed both knowledge and commitment to lead people to rethink their relation with the environment
The progresses of the project were presented at different expositions made by the National University of Misiones; it was presented at the National University of the Center, province of Buenos Aires (Figure 8)
It is affirmed that the activities made generated a very high commitment degree, by every intervenient actor on this project

Summary

Introduction

Environmental Education (EA) is a process in which are formed both knowledge and commitment to lead people to rethink their relation with the environment. EA presupposes an interdisciplinary work; that is, a knowledge construction process that considers every single aspect, allowing a holistic vision for the learned content In this context, one of the studied units for the EA project is the hydrographical basin. Thats how the Project on EA at the basin of the Pati Cua stream, which tries to accomplish the basic Principles for the EA known as Sensitization, Responsibility, Competence and environmental citizenship (Smith & Sato, 1995). It was established as a main objective to be able to achieve an interinstitutional approaching for the EA, linking together University – Schools – Municipality and Neighborhood Commissions. The objectives were aiming to encourage the defense for the environment (a); to promote an attitude change regarding to the management of the natural resources and waste disposal (b); to identify tropical diseases, their vectors and ways of prevention (c); to link up the educational institutions to the governmentprevention activities, regarding to environmental problems and the control of diseases

Methods

Results

Conclusion