PROSEPE. - Ups and downs of a project that the turning of millennium resisted

Abstract

In Portugal mainland, over the last forty years, there has been a significant increase both the number of forest fires, such as the size of the burnt areas. Conscious of the importance of forest and concerned about its preservation, was implemented, in academic year 1993/94 the PROSEPE, a Awareness and Education Project of School Population, which is presented, today, as the largest and longest project of Forest Education ever to in Portugal. Almost about to turn twenty years old, he has adapted and survived at changes of the times, which explains its longevity. It is aimed at teachers and students dedicated to the cause of forest preservation and its defense against fire. It is therefore an educational project, awareness and accountability, which aims to integrate students in a process of conscious citizenship, participatory and accountable and at the same time, he intends to give them a better understanding of the environment around them and, in particularly, the forest environment, instilling in them the concepts, principles, values and behavioral attitudes, that enable them to live in harmony with the forest and the spaces with the forest aptitude. As these the young “citizens of tomorrow”, constitute the main driving forces vehicles and disseminators of these ideals and so, once spread the message to the community, we may portend a more hopeful future for our forests.