Eco-Visitas Program Encourages Environmental Education and Recreation for Students

Hundreds of public school students enjoyed a lively participation in the 46th edition of the Eco-Visitas Program for Environmental Education and Recreation, which is promoted by the Dominican Ministry of Environment’s Department of Education and Environmental Training.

The event, which was organized in partnership with Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister organization in the
Dominican Republic, FUNGLODE, began at 9:30 am, signaled by a rendition of the Dominican National Anthem.  It was duly followed by the song "A Reforestar", performed by students of the Altos de los Naranjos school, and accompanied by its songwriter Claudio Cohen.

Manuel Amézquita, executive assistant at FUNGLODE, gave the welcoming words at the event. He referred to the importance of being able to open its doors
to Dominican audiences and keep them informed about the various initiatives it carries out in the community.

Antonio Matarranz, Technical Coordinator for the Department of Environmental Education and Culture, stated that through this initiative, concrete elements are being incorporated into the learning process of the participants while motivating them to get consciously and actively involved in the dynamics of environmental protection in their schools and
communities.

As part of the morning’s packed proceedings students learned about the Dominican Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) from Reydi Moreta, GFDD’s Social Networking and Production Coordinator. Mr. Moreta announced that this year’s film festival will be held from September 10 – 14, 2014.

Cristiana Cruz, coordinator of the EcoHuertos program, gave a brief overview of the program presenting images of all the gardens
created to date, and talked about how this program has positively impacted various communities where it has been working. “With Eco Huertos, we can eat healthy food, rescue our culture and learn to work together as a team,” said Ms. Cruz.

Similiarly, Bertha Santana presented the ReCrearte program, showing students the different communities and educational centers that have benefitted from learning how to refashion used materials into art. She explained
that both the EcoHuertos and ReCrearte programs serve to promote sustainable waste management practices through the three Rs: reduce, recycle and reuse.

The morning program was rounded off with a tour of FUNGLODE’s Juan Bosch Library, and concluded with a special film screening of GFDD’s self-produced short film; Garbage or Resource: The Dominican Republic Experience.

Following their visit of the
FUNGLODE facilities, the 240 students were taken in groups to the National Museum of Natural History, Botanical Gardens, National Aquarium, and the Dominican Zoological Park.

Through this initiative, FUNGLODE and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources seeks to provide middle school students with the opportunity to visit and learn firsthand from organizations that specialize in environmental research and education. The structure of the program is designed to
reinforce the adoption of a broad social and participatory environmental management ethos.

A generation of students have enjoyed the Eco-visitas program since its inception in 2008, motivating and inspiring them to preserve the natural resources and biodiversity of the Dominican Republic. Participating public schools in 2014 were; Antonio Duvergé, Leonor Nova Volquéz, Altos de los Naranjos, Atabalero Abajo, Elvira de Mendoza, Vitalia Mordán de la Cruz and Carlito
Melo Salazar located in the Independencia, Duarte, and Santo Domingo provinces, respectively.

Related Links:
www.ambiente.gob.do
www.dreff.org
www.eco-huertos.org
www.r3crearte.org
www.garbage.dreff.org
www.funglode.org