Conexão com a natureza e implicações de experiências educativas na floresta amazônica

Abstract

With the increase in the concentration of people inhabiting urban centers, there is also a decrease in direct experiences of contact with nature. Living away from natural environments can affect human health, but also diminish people's affinity with nature. Which can generate a lack of empathy with environmental problems. Connection with Nature (CWN) is a concept that describes a subjective sense of connection with the natural world, consisting of cognitive, affective and behavioral aspects. CWN is a predictor of pro-environmental behaviors (PEB). Which makes it necessary for the construction of more sustainable societies. Educational processes can contribute to the strengthening of CWN, among them those that promote greater contact of students and natural environments stand out. In this research, we sought to understand how educational experiences in the Amazon rainforest can affect CWN in university students of forest engineering. A course that uses immersion classes in the Amazon rainforest to teach forest management concepts and techniques. Classes are held at a forestry station, near the city of Manaus in Brazil, where there is a scientific research base on forest management. The research was carried out in four stages (survey, observation, conversation circles and post-course questionnaire). In first stage, 148 graduates of the course (78 F and 70 M) participated in the survey and 35 students from the class of 2021 participated in the other stages. The results show that classes in the forest help in the processes of learning environmental science concepts, but also strengthen the bonds with the forest. Classes allow instructors to use elements of the forest for teaching, with continuous stimulation for students to observe their surroundings. Immersion in educational activities helps young people to recognize the importance of the forest and also helps them to develop skills. Among them, skills they will need in their work routines such as teamwork, the use of tools and equipment, data organization and communication. The use of nature as a teaching environment is promising in the Brazilian context, where there is a diversity of ecosystems throughout the national territory. Therefore, it is necessary to expand studies with participants from other areas of knowledge, educational levels and biomes.