IPÊ has developed environmental education projects in communities of the lower Rio Negro since 2001.
Using constructive educational activities, IPÊ encourages persons to become active participants in our initiatives and to exercise citizenship and respect for life in the region. We use a variety of techniques to stimulate participants of conservation programs and initiate a dialogue that values local culture and develops creativity in sustainability projects. Within this discourse are included: biodiversity, human populations and regional cultures (such as myths and stories of forest the beings).
We highlight the conservation of the Amazon manatee, the pied tamarin and other threatened regional fauna and flora to arouse in stakeholders understanding of the importance of such animals for Brazilian biodiversity and, ultimately, for the survival of humans. Participants thus become agents for change in environmental protection and conservation processes. IPÊ believes that nature and humans are inseparable and, by extension, one can benefit the other.
Environmental education is carried out in communities surrounding Anavilhanas National Park, the Tupé Sustainable Development Reserve and Novo Airão. They are integrated into the project Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, which aims to transform the Amazon manatee and pied tamarin into regional symbols of pride and conservation through workshops, lectures, art competitions and other activities.
The promotion of topical venues (in light of the sustainable use of natural resources, and taking on account gender issues) encourages a dialogue between scientific understanding and riverine communities. This informs research and sustainable projects aimed at improving quality of life in the region.
- Inform and involve residents of the lower Rio Negro in conservation of the region’s fauna and flora;
- Transform the Amazon manatee and pied tamarin into symbols of pride so that local communities understand the importance of conservation;
- Introduce participative diagnostic techniques and workshops in conjunction with local communities;
- Promote the creation, dissemination and exchange of information that can lead to sustainable projects.
- Ethno-Botany and Agro-Forestry Project Management (FNMA – National Fund for the Environment)
- Ecological Corridors Project (Ministry of the Environment)
- Conservation Leadership Programme
- The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
