LearnScapes

On 28, 29 and 30 January 2011 the natural forest of the Azores and the Bogs of Graminhais were represented in Idanha-a-Nova, through the participation of André Batista from Priolo's Environmental Center in the XVIII Pedagogical Conference of Environmental Education "LearnScapes", promoted by the Portuguese Association for Environmental Education.

In communication with the theme "Laurel Forest as a living laboratory, learning with and in Nature: Practice and Approaches of Education in Nature" was presented the work of the Priolo's Environmental Centre regarding environmental education and awareness around the priority habitats, present in the SPA Pico da Vara / Ribeira do Guilherme.

Under the Project LIFE Sustainable Laurel, which aims to conserve areas of priority habitats present in the SPA Pico da Vara / Ribeira do Guilherme and ensure its long-term sustainability, we developed new educational activities. For example, the activity "Seed to Plant", which consists of a guided tour of the nursery where the project produces Azores' endemic plants, during which students can understand the different stages of plant production in nurseries and contribute to the nursery with the implementation of an endemic plant seed or planting in specific areas intervened by the Project LIFE Sustainable Laurel.

In the panel 'Strategies' round and approaches in the Environmental Education field trips", the presentation "Discovering the Laurel Forest" was honored as a successful activity. This activity is intended for students in 3rd and 4th year, as well as students of the 2nd cycle, and allows them to acquire basic but essential information on the natural forest of Azores and their significance, as well as distinguish the native plants from alien species.