CASE STUDY: DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND INTERPRETATION AND HERITAGE PROGRAM OF THE GUARATIBA STATE BIOLOGICAL RESERVE (RIO DE JANEIRO/BRAZIL)

Abstract

This paper presents a case study on the development of the Environmental Education, and Interpretation and Heritage Program (EEIHP) for the Guaratiba State Biological Reserve in Rio de Janeiro (RJ/Brazil). The general objective was to analyze the process and point out strengths and weaknesses of the adopted strategies. The methodological basis was Qualitative Research, with an Observational Case Study. The research was carried out between April 2017 and July 2021. The methodological strategies that were used were: bibliographic survey; document analysis (Public Use and Management Plan reports) and participant observation as well as participant research (events, meetings of the advisory board and the environmental education working group). The development of the EEIHP in the Reserve went forward due to a set of factors such as: participatory management committed to the Management and Action Plans; 2) participation of volunteers, through contribution to human and material resources; 3) integration of formal and non-formal education, reconciling school projects with the protected area's socio-environmental actions; 4) support from the headquarters team to decisions from the working group and 5) adaptation of the action plan to the global reality and local context generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The weaknesses to be overcome were identified as: little basis in legislation and documents; lack of a qualified professional team; difficulty in reconciling school and management agendas in order to proceed with actions and products; overload of tasks directed at the few members of the working group.