In addition to the breathtaking natural surroundings, the students were presented with a thought-provoking challenge. They were introduced to the immense biodiversity and the Mata Atlântica biome that Brazil shelters. The students delved deeper into understanding the Atlantic Forest, which houses a significant number of endangered species.
The Ecofuturo Institute actively promote ecotourism, environmental education, scientific research, sustainable forest management, reforestation efforts, and community engagement within this unique ecosystem. This forest also doubles as an educational space, highlighting the invaluable lessons that nature can offer.
Within this immersive experience, four distinct challenges came to the forefront: financial sustainability, visitor engagement, environmental impacts assessment, and enhancing the role of park rangers. The students presented some ideais and solutions for the challenges and discussed how to improve some areas of Parque das Neblinas.
- Financial Sustainability: The challenge revolves around identifying strategies to reduce dependence on sponsors while exploring international funding mechanisms to support ongoing initiatives.
- Visitor Engagement: The task is to devise effective marketing and communication strategies that increase weekday visitation and generate revenue, all while being mindful of limited resources.
- Environmental Impact Assessment: This challenge aims to quantify the park's value for both society and Suzano, along with establishing meaningful impact indicators and key performance indicators (KPIs) to showcase the value of Ecofuturo and Parque das Neblinas.
- Enhancing the Role of Park Rangers: In light of global park ranger dynamics, this challenge seeks to expand Ecofuturo's presence and visibility in this area and draw upon international best practices to drive improvements.
This immersive experience at Parque das Neblinas not only exposed the students to the complexities of environmental management but also emphasized the importance of sustainable practices and community involvement in preserving our natural heritage.
For more information on the CEMS MIM programme at FGV, visit our school list page.