A fun Saturday with the Young Guards

On Saturday, 25 April 2026, the Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve held a large gathering bringing together all groups from its environmental education programme, Young Guards, to energise the morning with workshops in art, first aid and birdwatching.

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The day began with a first aid workshop led by civil firefighter Renan Moraes, who highlighted the importance of knowing how to provide first aid to children and babies. The knowledge shared is based on the Lucas Law, which was created after Lucas Begalli tragically died from choking on a hot dog during a school trip, due to the school staff’s lack of knowledge in performing the choking rescue manoeuvre.

The firefighter guided the Young Guards through practical activities using appropriate equipment to simulate a choking incident. More than 50 students took part, performed the manoeuvre, and learned how to apply the technique.

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Students from the Green and Orange groups took part in a botanical monotype workshop led by artist Carla Costa. Using natural elements such as leaves, branches and flowers, the Young Guards created unique eco-friendly tote bags. Creativity flowed through an immersive experience in nature, also involving seeds, leaves, branches and other forest floor elements to produce original clay-based artworks in an activity led by environmental educator Soraya Carvalho.

It was also a full day for the Monitors group — a class of young people aged 15 and over — who hiked part of the Brown and Purple trails of the Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve, reaching the São José Tower, an impressive viewpoint at the top of the Purple Trail. From there, they were rewarded with views over the wetlands and the vast mountain range surrounding the Guapiaçu River basin.

The walk aimed to observe and identify bird species of the Atlantic Forest.

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