Partner Institution:

GEPU - Grupo Equitativa de Permacultura Urbana

Project:

Gardening, agriculture, permaculture, environmental education

Program:

GEPU

Objective:

To create an urban garden for the improvement of the local environment and the education of local children

Locality:

Santa Teresa neighborhood

PARTNER INSTITUTION AND PROJECT

The garden is located on the side of Prazeres favela in front of the Tijuca forest. The favela reaches high into the green flora to the right of the garden, and on the left you have a magnificent view of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

The project is about two years old, and was once a dump site for a small condo. The amount of litter, glass, plastic, metal, and ceramic tiles still present is both a reality of environmental ignorance and a hope for conserving urban green space in Rio.

The garden is planted with a traditional mix of vegetables that enjoy tropical climates; squash, beans, and corn. Along with papaya, pineapple, passion fruit, avocado, tomatoes, peppers, lemon grass, sugarcane, and a different variety of spinach. They also cultivate many different healing herbs that are common to Brazilians such Boldo, commonly known for headaches.

On Saturday afternoons local children from Prazeres favela participate in gardening activities. It´s a really amazing experience to help teach children about the environment. They discuss and identify plants, talk about temperature and regional weather differences, and what plants need to grow. Usually there are activities that involve planting, seedling starts, cooking, and games.

Permaculture methods and ideas are widely used throughout the garden. Soil, along with water availability are two present problems that the garden workers are always trying to balance and improve. In order to create more topsoil, and for plants to have a healthier growing environment, legumes are planted to help with nitrogen within the soil and an essential nutrient needed for plants to grow. Also, green litter from weeds and trees are placed over the garden beds to keep moisture present and to help build more organic matter as it decomposes over time. Composting worms are also utilized and present as a helpful way to boost nutrients when adding the castings (excrement) to the soil for seedling starts or transplants.

This garden is a rare sight in Rio de Janeiro and the workers exemplify dedication towards the environment, local community, and teaching others about plants, fruits, medicinals, soil, nutrients, composting worms, and permaculture methods. There are many opportunities as a volunteer at the garden regardless if you are an expert in gardening, have permaculture experience, or have recently become interested.