Country: Brazil
Site: Praia do Patacho
Target: Practitioners, Local communities and residents
Short Description
The activity “Sustainable Paths: Inclusion and Nature”, held on April 28, 2025, at Sítio Vale da Mata during the Blue Flag Program’s Global Action Days, brought together CAPS users, artisans, and local residents for an ecological trail and clay craft workshop. Participants planted cocoa seedlings to support reforestation and observed the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, fostering environmental awareness and a stronger bond with nature. The clay workshop offered a creative, sensory experience in connection with local artisanal traditions, promoting mental health, cultural appreciation, and social inclusion. Together, these activities reinforced sustainability, community integration, and a sense of belonging to the territory. The initiative was guided by a methodology of dialogical and inclusive environmental education, emphasizing participation, knowledge exchange, and accessible communication. Local residents highlighted the importance of reforestation with native species and the benefits of contact with nature for well-being, while artisans shared traditional practices that encouraged creativity and cultural pride. Through collective planting, hands-on learning, and open dialogue, participants were invited to see nature as a space of healing, learning, and inclusion. The activity ultimately combined environmental care with social support, demonstrating how community-based actions can strengthen both ecosystems and mental health.
Goals
Caring for nature also means caring for yourself and others. By planting a tree and walking through the forest, we strengthen our bond with the planet and the community.
Social inclusion involves valuing the territory, local culture and popular knowledge. The clay workshop showed that everyone can create, express themselves and belong.
Small collective actions generate great environmental and human transformations. Preserving biodiversity and promoting well-being go hand in hand towards sustainability.
Reproducibility
The “Sustainable Paths: Inclusion and Nature” activity combined reforestation and cultural exchange by planting cocoa seedlings and hosting a clay workshop, promoting ecosystem recovery, creativity, and social inclusion. It strengthened community ties, highlighted the mental health benefits of nature, and encouraged sustainable practices that can be replicated in other communities.