“Tree hunting” and trails mark Atlantic Forest Day in São Paulo

To mark the Day of the Atlantic Forest, celebrated this Saturday (27), and to alert the population about the importance of the biome, the SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation promoted another edition of the Day of the Mata, with a series of free activities in several parks in the capital São Paulo, such as the Fazenda do Carmo Municipal Natural Park, the São José Linear Park, the Augusta Park, the Trianon Park, the Villa-Lobos Park, the Anhanguera Park and the Jaraguá Indigenous Land. Among the activities were trails, seedling planting, native seed workshop, analysis of water quality and storytelling. The idea was to promote an immersion in this biome, which is home to more than 70% of the Brazilian population and which needs a universal recovery movement for its protection, recovery and guarantee of the future. “Today is National Day for the Atlantic Forest, a biome that reaches 17 Brazilian states and more than 3,400 municipalities. Many people who live in these places know little or little, but the Atlantic Forest is our home and all our struggle is in defense of this biome”, said Marcia Hirota, president of Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica, in an interview with Agência Brasil. The Atlantic Forest is undergoing an accelerated process of deforestation. Currently, only about 20% of the original vegetation cover of a biome composed of countless species of plants and animals remains. “The Atlantic Forest is an extremely rich biome in terms of biodiversity, plant and animal species, but it also provides environmental services to society. For example, it protects the springs and the entire flow of water, so it guarantees water not only for our consumption, but also for our development. It also regulates the climate, protects the soil, is a source of food and has active ingredients that are used in the cosmetics and medicine industries,” explained Márcia Hirota. She added that this national “heritage” urgently needs to be preserved for future generations. “We need to act, we need to protest, we need to contribute in some way because we need to secure it for the future. We have to make sure it lasts.” “Tree hunting” At Parque Trianon, located right on Avenida Paulista and is a remnant of the original Atlantic Forest, visitors participated in a treasure hunt, or rather, a “tree hunt”. Through the Natu Contos application, developed by the foundation and available free of charge for cell phones, the public followed a path indicated by their cell phone and got to know different trees in Trianon Park, including ironwood, embaúba and jequitibá. Upon reaching these trees, the application presents tales by authors of children’s literature and which are narrated by Brazilian music artists, such as Lenine, Ney Matogrosso and Martn’alia. One of the participants was the self-employed and environmental technician student Washington Alan, 45 years old. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here in the park and it’s very interesting to take this guided tour. You have access to information that you wouldn’t have on your own,” he said. For him, defending and protecting the Atlantic Forest is a matter of survival. “Without this healthy ecosystem, we have no quality of life. Such protection of the environment is for the very well-being of the human being, ”he added. São Paulo (SP) – Parque Trianon hosted activities for the “Viva a Mata” event, which celebrates the National Day of the Atlantic Forest. Photo: SOS Mata Atlântica Those who were at Trianon Park could also participate in a photo outing and even try an açaí typical of the Atlantic Forest, as did lawyer Márcia Valéria, 66, who participated in the activities alongside her nephew Giovane, 11. “This is a lighter açaí, I’m loving it”, said the lawyer. A resident close to the park, Márcia Valéria revealed that she was unaware that the area is part of the Atlantic Forest. “I’m finding the activities very interesting, with a lot of content, naming many trees that I didn’t know. It was interesting to know more about the plants and the trees. It is important that we make a movement for the preservation of nature. I think there should be more of these events to have repercussions throughout Brazil”, she said.

Agência Brasil