The initiative aimed at developing ecological trails also includes vegetation recovery, environmental education and student training. — Photo: Nature everywhere - Ecological Trails
Students from Florestan Fernandes State School, in the Doze de Outubro Sustainable Development Project (PDS), in Cláudia (MT), participate in a project to create an ecological trail that should connect the school, agroforestry systems, a chestnut production area and a fragment of forest with a spring. The initiative also provides for vegetation recovery, environmental education and training of students to identify fauna and flora species.
The Nature for Every Part – Ecological Trails project began as a school initiative in 2025 and is still ongoing. Currently, the proposal is expected to last 12 months and aims to directly benefit 200 people from 50 families and another thousand indirectly. PDS Doze de Outubro has 6,180 hectares and, according to the project document, brings together around 140 families.
The proposal envisages the planting of 100 native seedlings in the grass sections that will be revegetated, in addition to the installation of educational signs and stopping points along the route. Students must also participate in workshops to learn how to identify species and use mapping and vegetation recording tools.
According to Maria Sofia, 17, a 2nd year high school student and one of the students participating in the initiative, the project began as a result of a school activity called Restaura Natureza. With the interest of the students, the proposal continued under the name Natureza por Toda Parte – Trilhas Ecológicas.
"I do a little bit of everything, especially the presentations and the project methodology. It was an experience that taught me much more than just the theory in the classroom", he said.
Maria said that the group started with five students, but two ended up leaving the initiative. Currently, three students remain in the project. She participated in planting activities near the spring and stated that this was one of the most memorable experiences of the initiative.
"It marked me to participate directly in the recovery of the area, in this case, planting the seedlings near the spring area. Seeing the changes up close and realizing that our work is helping nature made the experience very special", he stated.
The teacher and project coordinator, Cleonice de Paula, explained that the route designed for the trail is approximately 3 km long and passes through different areas of the settlement until reaching the spring. In the project presented to Fundo Casa, however, the plan is to implement at least 700 meters of trail, connecting the school, the chestnut production area, agroforestry systems and the forest fragment with the spring.
The proposal is that the route will also be used in environmental education activities and, in the future, to receive visitors interested in observing fauna.
The project involves training 10 students to identify species and use monitoring and mapping tools. A pilot visit to observe fauna is also planned, in addition to the creation of a manual of good practices for tourists.
Maria said that the group started with five students, but two ended up leaving the initiative. Currently, three students remain in the project. — Photo: Nature everywhere - Ecological Trails
Connection with fauna
The work is also related to primate conservation initiatives in the region. According to Christine Steiner, biologist and executive director of the Ecótono Institute, the proposal to implement a forest corridor in PDS Doze de Outubro could benefit local fauna, especially primates.
The Ecótono Institute technically assists the initiative and, according to Christine, the project was inspired by restoration work carried out in the rural settlement, Gleba Mercedes (Weslei Manoel dos Santos Settlement Project), in Sinop, 503 km from Cuiabá, where a forest corridor was planted to connect forest fragments.
At Gleba Mercedes, the corridor implemented in 2024 already shows changes in vegetation. According to Christine, some trees reached between 3 and 4 meters in height, and species such as cashew and castor beans began to produce fruit in 2026. The area continues to be monitored.
The Mato Grosso zogues that live in a nearby fragment still do not use the corridor. The primate is classified in the Critically Endangered category, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification. According to the biologist, six animals are currently monitored in an area of approximately four hectares.
Christine explained that the species depends on taller trees and interconnected canopies to utilize this type of connection. According to her, the expectation is that the monkeys will start using the corridor between seven and eight years after planting, when the vegetation reaches the necessary conditions.
While the zogue-zogues still don't use the area, insects and birds have already started to occupy the corridor, according to Christine. According to the biologist, flowers and fruits produced by plants serve as food for these animals and indicate that the corridor is already used by fauna.
The Gleba Mercedes experience is also highlighted by the Ecótono Institute as a model that can be reproduced in other areas. The institution states that it intends to map new locations for the implementation of corridors and is seeking resources to expand the work, with the goal of reaching ten properties by 2030.
At PDS Doze de Outubro, the project aims to involve students, farmers and residents in monitoring vegetation, identifying fauna and recovering degraded areas. The initiative also plans to prepare the community to receive visitors and generate additional income from observing fauna and forest products.
