Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Birds in the Classroom

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CARACAS, Jul 9 2012 (IPS) - The Audubon Society of Venezuela and the government of the northern state of Miranda are offering “Birds in the Classroom” workshops to teach dozens of teachers in rural and coastal areas about the importance, care and enjoyment of bird species. The teachers “will pass on the knowledge they acquire to thousands of children, with a natural emphasis on environmental conservation,” Evelyn Pallotta, director of the Department of the Environment in Miranda, told Tierramérica. The initiative will also “contribute to the economy of the region by promoting ecotourism.”

Marieta Hernández of the Audubon Society said that Venezuela is the country with the sixth greatest diversity of bird species in the world, with a total of 1,380 species.

"This highlights the importance of a program like this in more than 40 schools in Miranda – which combines forested areas, agriculture, fishing, wetlands and beaches – in order to protect its ecosystems,” she added.