In the heart of the Chiquitano Forest ‘heart’
- Toke F. Nyborg
- 21. jul.
- 4 min læsning
In Bolivia, children and youth are preparing to defend the forest they were born and raised in. They do so with creativity, humor, and theatre.
By Toke F. Nyborg / Aktion Amazonas
Deep within the protected forest area of San Matías in eastern Bolivia, not far from the border with Brazil, lies the village of Santo Corazón - which translates to 'Saint Heart' in English. It is a fitting name for a town located in the very heart of the vast forest area, spanning almost 3 million hectares, primarily inhabited by the Indigenous Chiquitano people.
Because of its central location within the San Matías Forest Reserve, the village has been chosen as a pilot site for a new education initiative launched by Aktion Amazonas in collaboration with local partner Fundación para la Conservación del Bosque Chiquitano - FCBC. The initiative aims to raise awareness about nature and the environment and contribute to forming a new generation of informed children and youth who both appreciate the forest’s biodiversity and understand its role in ecosystems that humans rely on - as a source of food and income, and as a shield against climate change.
A New Generation of Environmental Stewards “Involving and educating children and youth is a key long-term strategy in our conservation efforts. The immediate challenges we face, such as forest fires and deforestation, must be addressed while working on the shaping of a new generation of green leaders who can help guide Bolivia toward a more sustainable path in terms of conservation” explains Jenny Flores, the leader of the education project at FCBC.
The initiative, 'Youth Engagement for Nature Conservation', is also being expanded to pilot villages in other parts of the Chiquitano region and the Bolivian Amazon. Today, it is being implemented in four villages located in four forest areas that are critical for South America’s biodiversity.
Building Environmental Knowledge Through Youth Community Centers The initiative revolves around the creation of Environmental Youth Community Centers, which now serve as central, self-run hubs for training and capacity building of young environmental promoters.
At the centers, the youth learn about biology, the environment, and the interconnections between forests, climate, and water systems. They also learn how to communicate their knowledge through public events and village theatre:
"We have awakened our curiosity and expanded our knowledge about our forest, and we have come to appreciate its diversity. It now holds a new meaning for us. Sometimes it takes someone from outside to open our eyes to the value of the forest" describes Karen Johana Chonaca Jimenéz, president of the community environmental education center board.
"In Santo Corazón, we can only go to school up to the 6th grade. Many leave the village to continue their studies, but for me, the center provides an opportunity to learn more without having to move away. Still, I dream of one day studying to become a nature preserver at the university", asserts another of the young environmental promoters.
Reforesting for the Future There are plans to expand the environmental youth community center in Santo Corazón with a small nursery so the young community members can also learn about the forest by collecting wild seeds and plants and nurturing them in the nursery. The seedlings will later be planted in areas affected by forest fires or deforestation.
Through the nurseries, the young environmental promoters gain an understanding of the different species and their roles in the forest while also learning about the threats facing the San Matías forest. They also acquire knowledge about reforestation techniques, which are skills that have become necessary in a region increasingly affected by climate change and forest fires.
Empowering Youth for Lasting Change The older youth are also trained in media and advocacy, tools they can carry with them if they choose to continue engaging in environmental issues:
"If the environmental struggle continues and we want Mother Earth to win, we need to think long term and aim for new environmental promoters who can carry the torch of conservation forward" explains Jorge Suárez, the village’s local casique (indigenous mayor).
Suárez is proud to see young people engage in protecting the forest of their ancestors, a forest that holds both cultural and spiritual significance for the Chiquitano people and is vital to their existence: "The forest feeds us and always has. If we treat it with respect, it will continue to support us", he adds.
Self-Run Centers for Sustainable Learning The youth create educational posters, puppet shows, and establish educational trails through the Chiquitano forest. Along these trails, students from Santo Corazón’s village school and nearby schools can learn about the forest’s many trees and plants and their roles in nature and human life, using panels and QR codes.
To support the sustainability of the centers, they are managed by the young environmental promoters themselves, who organize monthly public events linked to environmental awareness days.
"There is impressive support and involvement in the environmental youth community centers. It is inspiring to see how young people take ownership and actively engage in raising awareness among both children and adults", says Jenny Flores.
FACTS! The Chiquitano Forest
The Chiquitano forest is South America’s second-largest forest ecosystem after the Amazon Rainforest. It is a tropical dry forest, with trees that shed their leaves during drought periods. The forest is named after the Chiquitano people, the largest of five Indigenous groups living in the region.
Climate Change and Forest Fires
Climate change and forest fires are threatening tropical forests across the globe. Forests retain water, which evaporates faster when the climate becomes warmer and the forest cover is cleared; all contributing to a warmer and more dry climate.
For more information, read: A Year of Flames: Wildfires in the Chiquitano Forest - Annual Report 2024
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