Tree Day observations highlight urban forestry and species conservation in Brazil

September 21 marks Tree Day in the Southern Hemisphere, signaling the transition from winter to spring and emphasizing the importance of environmental preservation and combating deforestation.

In Palmas, the Municipal Environmental Foundation (FMA) is organizing a public event at Beco da Amizade to promote urban reforestation and environmental awareness. The program includes educational activities for children, such as face painting and drawing, alongside scientific demonstrations including an entomofauna laboratory and a water treatment demonstration.

On a national scale, the importance of protecting endangered species is highlighted by the recent documentation of the pau-cravo (Dicypellium caryophyllaceum) near the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant. This Amazonian species, which can reach 30 meters in height, is listed as critically endangered by Ibama. Experts emphasize that urban tree management must move beyond aesthetics to follow scientific principles of urban forestry, ensuring species are properly adapted to local climates and mitigate extreme weather phenomena.