Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Mangaratiba • Mangaratiba

GARDENING SCHOOL

A social and environmental oasis

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This facility maintained by the Mangaratiba local government’s Secretary of Environment, Agriculture and Fishing is more than just a green rural area. Ever since its creation, it has benefited the population and contributed to preserve the region’s environment.

The Horto Escolar is an area for social and environmental experiences that provides courses free of charge and welcomes groups from schools to participate in a special project for environmental education by means of lectures and practical classes. Pupils become highly motivated and are also given shoots to plant and take care of at home.

In the gardens there are plantations, free from agrochemicals, of okra, kale, mustard, parsley, chives, lettuce, jiló, taioba and other greens. Shoots, including fruit trees and Atlantic Coast Forest specimens are provided free of charge to visitors as well as the region’s inhabitants.

Another pioneering activity is held in an annex; the Riding Therapy Center, using a certified technique recommended for sufferers of cerebral palsy, mental deficiency, deafness, blindness, attention deficit, depression and hyperactivity, among other disorders. The sessions are conducted by a psychologist and physiotherapists and consist of exercises whereby patients ride specially trained horses, in addition to other activities that give rise to improvements in a patient’s clinical condition. Exercises are free of charge and require only a medical prescription.

This is also the location of the GPA – Environmental Protection Unit, which inspects and protects the region against deforestation and other violations, and assists with a 24-hour service for requests and reports.

Horto Escola is always proposing new projects. One of its ideas is use part of the land next to the small lake with tilapias as a picnic area. Another one is to organize a mini-farm which will surely please children and tourists who pass through on their way to Serra do Piloto.

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