The Young EcoLeaders symbolize the future of the forests. We're cultivating a new generation of environmental trailblazers to foster ecological restoration, protect the unique biodiversity of the Brazilian forests, and ensure a healthy planet for people everywhere. The EcoLeaders curriculum combines traditional knowledge, rainforest science, critical thinking and hands-on experiential activities, equipping students to become changemakers in their families, their schools and their communities.
Brazil's Atlantic Forest is one of the richest and most threatened ecosystems on earth, and yet most local children have no idea of its value, nor of the disastrous consequences of destroying it. Traditionally the forests are seen as a barrier to development, yielding no apparent economic return, and the trees are slowly replaced by small patches of coffee and unproductive pasture. For want of understanding, the forests are dying, and with them the prospect of a better future.
The good news is: there is hope! When children are brought into the living laboratory of the forests and see the extraordinary complexity of the forest ecosystem, they make amazing discoveries. They learn that forests provide clean water and fresh air, absorb carbon, regulate our climate and shelter the rich biodiversity that underpins all life. Understanding leads to appreciation, and a valuing of the richness they never knew they had, and they become the champions and defenders of the forest
The long term impact will be generational. Passionate young leaders are blazing the way for change at all levels. Already they are impacting their families, their schools and their communities by attending public meetings and raising their voices in defense of the forests. They are convincing their families of the critical importance of caring for the environment. These students will not be silenced, and in this lies the hope that these are the leaders who will change the future of the planet.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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