University and Environment Observatory: University spaces for environmental conservation in Venezuela.
Through a report generated by university professors and researchers, the SVE denounces the alarming situation of deterioration in which these spaces find themselves, following the Human Rights methodology.
The Venezuelan University has been characterized by its work in education, research and extension in all its training careers. In environmental sciences, Venezuela was a pioneer in Latin America, work that has been possible through the management and protection of natural spaces, restored areas and urban green areas that have served to explore, experiment, implement and educate by doing. Outstanding: forest reserves, experimental stations and university ecological reserves.
The Schools of Biological and Forestry Sciences, Agronomy, Veterinary and Geography are the main guarantors of these natural spaces, which function as conserved areas, that is, areas voluntarily designated for the protection of nature. These Conserved Areas represent an extension of the environmental rights of the university community.
Aula Abierta has taken the initiative of building an observatory to monitor the situation and operation of these sites of university and national interest. For this, Aula Abierta formed an inter-institutional team together with professors and researchers from Simón Bolívar University, University of Los Andes, Faculty of Agronomy of the Central University of Venezuela, University of Oriente and the Venezuelan Society of Ecology.
This team documented the situation of 31 Conserved Areas managed by universities, throughout the country, and it was verified how the budgetary asphyxiation has limited the performance in these spaces of environmental conservation. Of the 31 conserved areas, only 6 present favorable conditions. In addition to these conserved areas, the Venezuelan University has “ex situ” conservation sites such as herbaria, biological collections, bioteriums, research centers and others; where research and training activities aimed at understanding, managing and conserving biodiversity are carried out.
The situation in twenty-one of these “Ex Situ” conservation sites was documented and only one presented favorable conditions.
The complete report follows.
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It is time to denounce and make this situation visible. Join us and raise your voice!
