Sustainability through education is part of an eco-schools project developed at EB1/PE/Creche da Ribeira Brava. The eco-schools initiative was created in 2007 and teaches conservation and good environmental practice through a series of activities.
Recently, while talking to journalists João Baptista Marcos, the headmaster of EB1, stated that it is necessary to create positive environmental attitudes within our younger generations. While the world we live in is a legacy left by our ancestors it is up to us to promote and create a healthy and protected environment for future generations.
The project encompasses several activities developed by the entire educational community. The biological gardens are perhaps the main eco-school initiative which caters for pre-school to 4th grade students.
The new initiative titled ‘From the Land to the Table,’ shows children how food is grown, from sowing, caring, observation to harvesting. Another objective is to show the importance of biological pest control, and how to grow and protect crops from insects through mixed planting, such as planting carrots with Marigolds, rather than using insecticides, pesticides and herbicides.
Throughout the year the students have worked committedly in the garden, learning how to use a variety of garden tools as well as participating in four exhibitions on biodiversity, renewable energies, recycling and healthy and sustainable food.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
