By Dayana and Guilherme | Young EcoLeaders Coordinator and Commun. Coord.
Winter has arrived in the Atlantic Forest, bringing cool mornings and crisp mountain air. But that certainly didn't slow down our Young EcoLeaders!
This month, we welcomed a new high school group to Iracambi for a very special experience. Accompanied by photographers, the students explored the forest from a different perspective. Beyond hiking and observing nature, they were encouraged to look creatively at the landscape, discovering beauty, details, and stories through photography. It was wonderful to see them connecting with the forest not only through their feet, but also through their imagination.
Despite the chilly weather, the enthusiasm never faded. After spending the day learning in the forest, many students couldn't resist jumping into the pond! Their laughter and excitement reminded us that meaningful connections with nature are often joyful, spontaneous, and unforgettable. The feedback from both students and teachers was incredibly positive.
Our Young EcoLeaders also continued their regular classes, building on the previous lesson about native plants and forest flora. This time, they got their hands dirty by creating their very first vegetable gardens.
For many of them, it was also their first close encounter with earthworms, amphibians, and other small creatures that are essential to healthy ecosystems. Some arrived feeling nervous, but by the end of the activity, curiosity had replaced fear. These small moments of discovery help build confidence, respect for biodiversity, and a lifelong connection with the natural world.
A Special Opportunity to Multiply Your Impact
As we prepare for the next planting season and continue inspiring new generations of forest guardians, we'd love your support.
From July 15, 10:00 AM EDT to July 16, 10:00 AM EDT, GlobalGiving will run a special matching campaign, and donations made during this 24-hour period will be eligible for bonus matching funds.
If you've been thinking about supporting Iracambi, this is the best time to do it. Giving during the campaign means your donation can go even further helping us restore more Atlantic Forest, welcome more students, and create even more life-changing experiences in nature.
Please remember: only donations made between July 15 at 10:00 AM EDT and July 16 at 10:00 AM EDT will be eligible for the bonus funding.
Thank you for growing this forest, and this new generation of environmental leaders with us.
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
