New Earth Schools

Children are the new generation of nature protectors. It is vitally important to give them tools from an early age so that they become familiar with the environmental problems we are experiencing and know how to provide solutions through eco-technologies and a culture of sustainable living.

Objectives:

-Help reestablish the link between humans and nature.

-Know current environmental problems and propose solutions.

-Train environmental leaders who can permeate knowledge in various areas of the school.

-Implement eco-technologies in schools that serve as an example of solutions to environmental problems.

What does the New Earth Schools program consist of?

It consists of 6 projects focused on caring for and learning from nature. Each one has theoretical and practical workshops designed to train change agents.

The projects are:

AELN

LEARNING IN NATURE

The best way to reinforce knowledge of natural sciences and ecology is by visiting nature.

Learning in Nature is a program that we have designed together with Promoción Ecológica A.C. Who has more than 40 years working with schools implementing environmental education programs.

Given the ecological problems that we are currently facing at state, national and global level, we consider it vitally important to offer children and young people from an early age continuous environmental education that allows us to become aware of the importance of taking care of nature and the environment that surrounds us and be responsible for its conservation, because only in this way will a culture of respect for life could be achieved and a true sustainable development ensured for new generations.

Objetives:

Promote a sustainable culture in elementary education students through ecological coexistence where they will learn to enjoy the forest, receive basic survival training and reinforce natural science content according to the grade.

Specific objectives:

Promote a sustainable culture.
Reinforce knowledge of Natural Sciences according to the degree established in the Education Program of the Ministry of Public Education.
Make academic knowledge experiential.
Emphasize knowledge with games and group dynamics.
Train in the basic principles of survival.
Develop personal skills in students.
Generate an attitude of care and respect towards nature.
Train family and community promoters.
Promote the comprehensive development of students.

Strategies:

We have two ecological centers (Matlacueye) located in the State of Tlaxcala on the slopes of the Malinche volcano and (Ikal Tierra Sustentable) located in the state of Yucatán in the town of Yalcobá. At the Matlalcueye ecological center we have the mountain ecosystem and ravines with a forest of pines, oaks and oyamel fir trees. At the Ikal Kaax ecological center we have a low jungle ecosystem, with caves and cenotes. In both centers ecological techniques were applied in the construction and equipment of basic services. In the environmental education program we visit one of the two places to take a nature tour, accompanied by games and teachings about the different ecosystems.

Guardians of the Earth

The earth provides us with everything we need to live. We only need to respect it and learn from natural cycles to be able to satisfy our basic needs.

Each plant, animal, insect, fungus and mineral has a very important function to fulfill in the planetary balance. Every living being knows its function and performs it perfectly. It is vitally important to recognize ourselves as part of the ecosystem and remember the importance of taking care of it.

The first step to awaken interest in caring for nature is to be amazed by the diversity of shapes, colors and behavior of living beings. We need to know our immediate ecosystem, how it works and above all acknowledge that its members are also part of our community.

In this program we carry out the following activities:

Fauna and flora identification workshop

Creation of an organic garden and a compost bin

Creation of a medicinal garden and an herbal workshop.

Reforestation workshop with native trees

Problems to deal with:

Lack of knowledge about the ecosystem that surrounds us.

Soil pollution.

Use of chemicals in vegetable production.

Deforestation.

Solutions:

Identification of flora and fauna in our environment.

Restoration of nutrients in the soil.

Creation of organic and medicinal gardens.

Reforestation of the school.

SUMMARY:

Guardians of the Water

We are currently suffering the consequences of the mismanagement of this resource. Due to the contamination of groundwater and the erosion caused by excessive logging, it is increasingly difficult to have clean water.

This program is designed to learn about the water cycle and synchronize with it. We will learn how to take advantage of the rain that falls on our roofs for domestic use, we will learn how an ecological water treatment system works and how to create a solar still to distill water and make it drinkable.

In this program we carry out the following activities:

Construction of wastewater treatment system sample

Construction of Ferrocement cistern and installation of rainwater collectors

Construction of solar still

Problems to deal with:

Contamination of groundwater tables.

Lack of access to water.

Solutions:

Water purification through solar distillation.

Rainwater harvesting.

Wastewater treatment system.

Comprehensive use of water.

SUMMARY:

Guardians of the Wind

In many indigenous knowledge, the cleanliness of the air is related to the cleanliness of our thoughts and the management of our emotions. In order to live in balance with nature we need to tune into our internal balance.

In this program we will learn various breathing techniques, conscious movement, yoga and meditation that will help us regulate our nervous system, reduce mental noise and cultivate vitality for our daily lives.

The activities to be carried out in this program are the following:

Yoga to manage emotions

Breathing Exercises (Pranayamas)

Meditation to deal with stress and anxiety

SUMMARY:

Problems to deal with:

Stress, mental and emotional imbalances, anxiety, insomnia.

It does not replace medical or psychological treatment.

Solutions:

Breathing exercises, postures (asana), conscious movements, meditation, body awareness.

Guardians of Fire

Thanks to the Sun, life exists on the planet, its rays nourish us, give us energy, thanks to it the photosynthesis of plants occurs. Fire is an element of transformation and purification.

In many indigenous peoples, campfires are still used to cook food. In this program we will learn different ways to use solar energy and fire.

Some activities we carry out are the following:

Construction of a solar dehydrator

Construction of a mud and sand stove (Poyo de Lorena)

Construction of solar stove

SUMMARY:

Problems to deal with:

The use of open fires in rural kitchens causes respiratory problems.

In many communities the fire is lit with plastic bags.

In many communities it is often common to burn garbage.

When food is produced in the garden, it is necessary to know food preservation techniques so that it does not spoil.

Solutions:

Comprehensive use of solar energy

Construction of a mud and sand stove (poyo de lorena)

CAMP

NATURE GUARDIANS CAMP

“Walking through the jungle we entered the depths of a cave, the environment is humid and dark. Silence embraces us with its frequency, we have reached the place where the water flows, the place where the entire forest is nourished, we begin to play drums, flutes and rattles. A collective song emerges, it is the song of the Guardians of Nature returning to their home.”

This camp is focused on living a deep connection with the jungle ecosystem, knowing how it works and recognizing ourselves as part of it. It is a space to be filled with inspiration and create in community, learning from the balance that the environment offers us.

The place where we held the event is located in the town of Yalcobá, municipality of Valladolid, Yucatán.

Some of the activities we carry out are: