Educação ambiental não-formal : estudo na Floresta Nacional de Palmares (Flona Palmares), Altos, Piauí

Abstract

The growing environmental degradation and the need to preserve biodiversity have driven the implementation of educational strategies in Conservation Units (UC). This study investigated the role of UC as informal spaces for Environmental Education (EE), focusing on the Palmares National Forest (Flona Palmares), located in the municipality of Altos, Piauí (5°2’-3’24”-36”S e 42°35’-36’0”-24”W). The main objective was to assess the learning potential of participants in the Socioenvironmental Education Project developed in the UC, identifying the impact of educational activities on the participants' environmental awareness. The research adopted a qualitative and descriptive approach, using interviews and semi-structured questionnaires to collect data. The analysis was conducted using the adapted content analysis method (Bardin adapted), identifying four categories of environmental perception among the participants: naturalistic, globalizing, romantic, and unidentified. The results showed that most participants have a direct connection with nature, but there is still room for improvement in environmental awareness strategies. Furthermore, it was found that the Socioenvironmental Education Project significantly contributes to the construction of knowledge about biodiversity and the development of ecological consciousness among the participants. However, it was observed that some participants apply the learning occasionally in their daily lives, highlighting challenges in internalizing sustainable practices. Finally, as a product of this research, an Educational Brochure on EE in UC was created, aimed at raising awareness among the community and visitors of Flona of Palmares. The study reinforces the importance of informal EE in UC and highlights the potential contributions that this approach can offer in making better use of these spaces. It emphasizes the importance of integrating EE with non-formal education, as it is through the practice of citizenship that individuals truly take on their roles as active and responsible agents in relation to the environment.