The Regional Director for Forest Resources stated today that it is essential to focus on training and awareness raising among young people about the importance of forests in order to safeguard the preservation of a heritage that belongs to everyone.
 
"Training and information on forests is essential and should be reinforced among younger generations, as we must have knowledge to care for them and protect them properly," said Anabela Isidoro. She spoke on the sidelines of a visit undertaken by students attending the vocational course in Forestry and Environmental Resources at Domingos Rebelo Secondary School to the Nordeste forest area on the island of São Miguel.
 
Before the visit, a brief presentation was made at the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources in Ponta Delgada on the work carried out by the Region on preservation, sustainability and reproduction of endemic plants, among other aspects.
 
This visit is part of course curricular plan under the theme "installation of forest stands."
 
Anabela Isidoro stated, that during the visit, students had the opportunity to see how the planning of the tree plantations is carried out under the real conditions existing in the Region and how this planning is implemented in the field.
 
"This visit was also intended to provide young people with a closer contact with the labour world, so that they may understand the interconnection between the theoretical part of learning and the practical component, making them aware of the need to consolidate knowledge", said the Regional Director.
 
Forests are a noteworthy and structuring element of Azorean landscape, occupying about a third of the archipelago's terrestrial territory.
 
Over the last four years, about three million trees have been planted in the archipelago, mostly cryptomeria trees, as well as resinous, hardwood and endemic species.