Much Love For Nature

Our RioLIVE! activity on Monday, 18 March 2019 was a visit to the Jardim Botânico. This is a huge park within the city of Rio de Janeiro that is connected to the Tijuca Forest, one of the last remaining pieces of the “Mata Atlântica” (South American Atlantic Forest) that existed before the arrival of European colonizers. Over 200 years ago, the Emperor of Portugal, Dom João VI, had the foresight to reserve for his and future generations a large piece of this forest as a nature preserve. Since the creation of  the Jardim Botânico, it has been expanded to include species of plants, not only native to Brazil, but also from all over Latin America. During our two-hour visit to the Jardim Botânico, we were able to see many examples of the flora (and even some of the fauna) that are alive and thriving in this immense park. For example, we walked on a pathway lined by incredibly tall palms. We also saw trees with trunks of enormous dimensions. We took photos of one of our classmates, Valeria, hugging the trunks of those amazing trees. We walked alongside a waterfall that drains rainfall coming from the heights of the Tijuca Forest. We strolled through greenhouses containing all types of lovely orchids. And we observed large turtles sunbathing and swimming in a pond. This was an amazing experience and one that reminds us of the importance of the forests of Brazil, not only to the Brazilians but also to all of mankind.

William Owen, United States

Beautiful people combined with a beautiful place.

Nothing better to show much love for nature than visiting one of the most famous and beautiful places in Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Botânico. We spent the afternoon at this magical place where our Portuguese students could know more about Brazilian history, geography and nature at the same time. They could practice their Portuguese talking about everything that conncects to this place, spending some good time and showing much love for nature.

You can see more of this display of much love for nature on our Facebook page:

See on the links below how RioLIVE! Jardim Botânico visits are:

	January 2019	December 2018	October 2018
August 2018	July 2018	May 2018	February 2018
January 2018	July 2017	March 2017	December 2016
June 2016	April 2016	March 2016	January 2016
August 2015	July 2015	February 2015	January 2015
December 2014	November 2014	July 2014	May 2014
February 2014	December 2013	October 2013	May 2013

Catching the dragonfly