Community nurseries

Community plant nurseries produce seedlings of native species that are eventually planted on the properties of settlers who were once part of the "Landless Movement". They provide training to residents in the appropriate techniques for maintaining forest trees and assist settlers to efficiently plan their agricultural lots, emphasizing an agro-forestry strategy that encourages forest corridors and ecological stepping stones.

These community nurseries also provide a source of income for more than 40 families who now sell the young trees. There are currently 22 nurseries, distributed in five rural settlements, producing over 150,000 seedlings annually. IPÊ technicians periodically conduct outreach programs and contribute with material, such as soil and seeds, necessary for sustaining the nurseries.

Community nurseries are powerful tools that teach settled families in the Pontal do Paranapanema the techniques required to maintain viable ago-forestry programs on their properties. These, in the long term, benefit both human residents and their natural surroundings.

Plant nurseries are teaching aides

The main goal of these nurseries is the production of young trees to be planted in agro-forestry programs that are currently developed by IPÊ in the Pontal do Paranapanema region. We actively encourage students to visit the nurseries and participate in workshops on agricultural techniques and environmental conservation. As a result of an agreement with three regional high schools, the nursery teaching program receives about 300 students each year, who learn techniques for the production of tree saplings and participate in rural outreach during field research conducted by IPÊ researchers.