772
E. F. R. Q. Melo et al.
and Sustainability of the Tree Vegetation”, that cataloged the species in the campus,
also developed in the University.
The application of a survey around the users “knowledge on green areas”, allowed
to state that, although the main part of the interviewed knew how to recognize and
see the difference between a native or exotic species, 62% of the participants could
not cite an endangered of extinction species. The trail would act in the educational
field, making popular the information of the species and highlighting the importance
of the preservation.
It is shown that 75% of the users prefer green areas to non-vegetation areas (6%),
and 18% prefer the mixed areas. Besides that, 98% of the interviewed think that vegetation brings health benefits and promote sensations such as wellbeing, air quality,
calm, tranquility, comfort, equilibrium and self-esteem. As for the participants of
the ecological trail, 97% of the interviewed believe that, because of the trail they
would get more knowledge, improving their academic formation. Because of that, it
is perceived the demand of environmental education actions.
The existence of forest fragments areas inside the Campus encouraged the ecological trail project, with the objective of taking actions of environmental education, giving to the participants several experiences of living with different vegetation
spaces, allowing biodiversity and stimulating the users to get to know the many native,
exotic, fruitful species found there, besides, developing sociocultural responsibility,
enriching the natural environments and seeking their preservation.
4 The Trail Proposal
Considering the fact that the UPF’s Campus I is known by its lush green area, the
studies of a trail proposal began, encouraging environmental education and creating,
this way, a direct way of relating the community to these green areas, in a conscious
manner and seeking sustainability through two different trails showed at the Fig. 4.
Planning a trail should take into account various social and infrastructure aspects
of the site, be carefully located, constructed and managed in a way that allows the conservation of natural resources and the maintenance of contacts with nature. According to Lechner (2006), these aspects include elements such as landscape, cultural
and educational opportunities, access to areas for hiking, camping, and support to
management activities. Regarding local infrastructure, some restrictions should be
considered with environmental zoning, visitor safety, presence of rare or threatened
species, fragility of the ecosystem and evaluation of its impacts.
In this context, a proposal was made for an educational trail for the central area of
Campus I of the University of Passo Fundo with the possibility of involving students,
teachers and the local and regional community, since the use of the university area
is also considered by users as an Urban Park.
Therefore the starting point is in the central area at the “Meeting Point” (73% of the
interviewed cited it as an important place) with an explanation of the activity in a panel
and board, where a short and long track is presented. In this way, the user can find
E. F. R. Q. Melo et al.
and Sustainability of the Tree Vegetation”, that cataloged the species in the campus,
also developed in the University.
The application of a survey around the users “knowledge on green areas”, allowed
to state that, although the main part of the interviewed knew how to recognize and
see the difference between a native or exotic species, 62% of the participants could
not cite an endangered of extinction species. The trail would act in the educational
field, making popular the information of the species and highlighting the importance
of the preservation.
It is shown that 75% of the users prefer green areas to non-vegetation areas (6%),
and 18% prefer the mixed areas. Besides that, 98% of the interviewed think that vegetation brings health benefits and promote sensations such as wellbeing, air quality,
calm, tranquility, comfort, equilibrium and self-esteem. As for the participants of
the ecological trail, 97% of the interviewed believe that, because of the trail they
would get more knowledge, improving their academic formation. Because of that, it
is perceived the demand of environmental education actions.
The existence of forest fragments areas inside the Campus encouraged the ecological trail project, with the objective of taking actions of environmental education, giving to the participants several experiences of living with different vegetation
spaces, allowing biodiversity and stimulating the users to get to know the many native,
exotic, fruitful species found there, besides, developing sociocultural responsibility,
enriching the natural environments and seeking their preservation.
4 The Trail Proposal
Considering the fact that the UPF’s Campus I is known by its lush green area, the
studies of a trail proposal began, encouraging environmental education and creating,
this way, a direct way of relating the community to these green areas, in a conscious
manner and seeking sustainability through two different trails showed at the Fig. 4.
Planning a trail should take into account various social and infrastructure aspects
of the site, be carefully located, constructed and managed in a way that allows the conservation of natural resources and the maintenance of contacts with nature. According to Lechner (2006), these aspects include elements such as landscape, cultural
and educational opportunities, access to areas for hiking, camping, and support to
management activities. Regarding local infrastructure, some restrictions should be
considered with environmental zoning, visitor safety, presence of rare or threatened
species, fragility of the ecosystem and evaluation of its impacts.
In this context, a proposal was made for an educational trail for the central area of
Campus I of the University of Passo Fundo with the possibility of involving students,
teachers and the local and regional community, since the use of the university area
is also considered by users as an Urban Park.
Therefore the starting point is in the central area at the “Meeting Point” (73% of the
interviewed cited it as an important place) with an explanation of the activity in a panel
and board, where a short and long track is presented. In this way, the user can find