Instituto de Ecoturismo do Paraná – IEPR

Formação de Lideranças Jovens no Parque Nacional do Saint Hilaire / Lange

The Park of Saint Hilaire/Lange, one of Brazil’s oldest environmental preservation areas, became a fully protected national park in 2001. This decision, which was made by the authorities without consulting the 27 surrounding communities, generated resistance and frustration on the part of residents dependent on the area’s natural resources for their survival. Mediation by the Instituto Ecoturismo do Paraná (Ecotourism Institute of Paraná) between the communities and IBAMA has paved the way for community participation on the Park’s administrative board.

Today, part of the council is made up by old residents, chosen by their communities to represent them in the management of the land. Young people were empowered to also participate in the board’s management, and some were selected as representatives of the surrounding communities. The support of the BrazilFoundation Incentive Grant enabled the group to create an action plan for environmental preservation and a communications plan.