A importância do Parque Florestal Estadual do Turvo/RS como estratégia para a educação ambiental

Abstract

This paper aims to address how the existence of Conservation Units, such as the Parque Florestal Estadual do Turvo (State Forest Park of Turvo), located in the county of Derrubadas/RS, can provide and assist in a greater dissemination of Environmental Education to the population that visit. The research took place in the Parque Florestal Estadual do Turvo, having as research subjects the visitors of the park. The survey of the characteristics of the visitors was carried out through the application of a self-administered questionnaire. This was delivered to visitors in printed form, being applied to 54 women and 46 men, totaling 100 visitors interviewed. Data were collected on November 12th, 2016, December 23rd and 24th, 2016, and January 21st, 2017, in the afternoon. The Content Analysis Technique was the basis of the data analysis, and the results showed that the majority of the interviewed visitors consider the Parque Florestal Estadual do Turvo an interesting place to meet, providing a good tour and having adequate infrastructure. However, it was also observed that the Park needs some improvements, besides others, in the existing structure, in order to provide greater comfort to the visitors. Finally, this study constituted a contribution of relevant opinions on the Parque Florestal Estadual do Turvo to the park’s team, which can be taken into account when improving both the infrastructure and the leisure for the visitors of the Park. Therefore, the present study proved to be relevant, since we were able to show the potential of the Parque Florestal Estadual do Turvo, both in the tourist part of the State, and as disseminating agent of Environmental Education.