“SAVING THE SEA TURTLES” FESTIVAL: A LOW COST METHOD TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

IN COASTAL SCHOOLS OF URUGUAY   Gustavo Martinez-Souza, Mauro Russomagno, Gabriela Vélez-Rubio,

Luciana Alonso, Italia Triquez, Bruno Techera, Laura Berrondo  Base Científica Cerro Verde - Karumbé, La Coronilla, Uruguay

To conservate, we need know: who, where and why

To understand this we need to do RESEARCH

But the research will only help the conservation when the results be shared with the scientific community as well as

the local communities.

Why should we do environmental education?

“2011”: The drums bring the news, the

invaders aren’t immortal (E.Galeano),

Giving value to the local culture, working with native animals, migration process and the problem with invasive species.

Teams: Sea Terrestrial Animals

Conservation Task: collection of top bottlesResults of Conservation Task: 10000 top bottles, donated to public hospitals that exchange for blanketsCost: 150U$ - 0.42U$ /student

“2010”: "Our beach, a special home”

Highlighting the importance of our zone and our contribution to the degradation of these ecosystemsTeams: Sea Marine Animals

Conservation Task: 350 bags painted, presenting the importance of the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). Cost: 850U$ - 2.42U$ /student

Why? To share knowledge and to make students aware of our responsibility in preserving the environment. For Who? Two schools surrounding of Cerro Verde, a feeding area in Uruguay - 350 students (20% of local people)How?During one week, one conservation theme is developedAs the themes were developed?By Plays and the “Olympic Games”, where the students were divided in teams and participated on artistics, recreational, sports and researches. activities.

What were the research activities? Using the internet and personal computers (donate by the Uruguayan government), answer questions about his teams in the Olympic Games. What were the artistic activities? Made songs and customs, painted flags and wallsWhat were the recreational and sports activities? Plays about conservation além de football, basketball, bowling, dodgeball and run with obstaclesHow not to create competition between studens?Strengthening the idea that the important thing is not win but to participate, share and learning have fun.

What is the Festival?

We believe that the Festivals have helped build an identity associated with the care of the environment, forming citizens transformers reality On the other hand, have helped consolidate the ideas in the team, clarification of our own responsibility as citizens in preserving the environment and the formation of a more just society

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

“2008”:The Turtles Race

Present the sea turtles species, its life cycle and threats.

Teams: Species turtles Conservation Task: collecting plastic bottles

Results of Conservation Task:

Cost: 150U$ - 0.42U$ /studentCONCLUSIONS

1650 bottles employed for the construction of a Green House

“2009”: Where are the turtles from?

The differences and similarities social, cultural environmental and geographical between nesting countries and Uruguay

Conservation Task: collecting plastic bottlesResults of Conservation Task: 2300 bottles employed for the construction of a Green House

Cost: 150U$ - 0.42U$ /student

Teams: Sea Turtle Nesting Countries