2nd COURSE ON BEST PRACTICES FOR GUIDING VISITORS ON INTERPRETIVE TRAILS

On October 13, 14, 20, and 21, PELD Oeste do Pará (POPA) held the second edition of the Course on Best Practices for Guiding Visitors on Interpretive Trails at the Pérola do Maicá Neighborhood Residents’ Association (AMBAPEM) in Santarém. The initiative was carried out in partnership with the Department of Tourism (SEMTUR) and with the collaboration of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBIo).

The training aimed to equip tour leaders and guides with the skills to promote safer and more responsible practices when guiding visitors in natural environments. The program covered the following topics: fundamentals of trail management and signage, presented by Thays Maia Souza; protected areas and ecotourism, presented by Ana Paula Viana; identification of animal tracks and footprints, taught by Emiliano Fogliatti; venomous animals, taught by Pedro Ganança; and waste management and fire prevention on nature trails, covered by Pedro Ganança and Emiliano Fogliatti.

The Pérola do Maicá neighborhood is located on the shores of Lake Maicá, a floodplain channel that connects the Amazon River to other lakes in the region and is home to a rich biodiversity. Residents have been investing in Community-Based Tourism (CBT) as a way to protect the area, promote local culture, and generate income opportunities. Initiatives like this help strengthen responsible tourism in natural areas, promoting biodiversity and empowering community members to manage their own territories.