What makes a dry forest special, and why should we protect it? These were some of the questions that guided the environmental education session held by Kamaykuna Network volunteers at Mariano Santos Mateos School on August 19. Through presentations and conversations with teenage students, the team introduced young people to the dry forests of La Libertad, with particular attention to El Cañoncillo.
During the visit, students learned that dry forests are home to a wide variety of species and play an important role in our environment. The conversation encouraged them to look beyond the landscape, they also discussed the ecosystem services these forests provide and why their conservation concerns us all.
The volunteers also addressed the threats facing these forests and their relationship with phenomena such as El Niño. This was an opportunity to connect what students learned with questions about their surroundings and the changes they may observe. Learning about a nearby ecosystem helps explain why it deserves attention and care.
After the presentations, students had a chance to speak. Their questions and ideas led to a discussion about how each person can help protect nature in everyday life. Rather than simply receiving information, the young students took part in the conversation and shared their views on caring for their environment.
For the Kamaykuna Network, bringing these topics into classrooms is a way to continue creating opportunities for learning and reflection. Every visit offers a chance to spark curiosity about local ecosystems and encourage more young people to take part in conservation. Sometimes the first step in caring for a place is getting to know it better and starting a conversation about it.
