Institution Responsible: Associação Caatinga

The project aims to improve management and ensure the financial sustainability of legally protected areas in the Caatinga biome of the state of Piauí, more specifically in the State Park of the Poti River Canyon (PECRP) and its surroundings, located in the municipality of Buriti dos Montes. This is an area of extreme social, economic, and environmental vulnerability due to the constant occurrence of hunting and wildfires in the region.

The PECRP covers approximately 24,000 hectares and is home to rich biodiversity, including the Three-banded Armadillo (Tatu-bola, in Portuguese) and other endangered species, as well as archaeological sites with rock carvings. Maintaining a natural and protected ecosystem requires significant effort and resources of various kinds, particularly financial resources.

The project includes the following actions:

1. Development of a Financial Sustainability Plan for the State Park of the Poti River Canyon, outlining pathways and solutions to ensure the financial sustainability of the PECRP through the promotion of ecotourism and the integration of local communities. This aims to generate opportunities for sustainable local development and the empowerment of these communities.
2. Development of an Integrated Fire Management Plan and training of local communities on fire management practices within the PECRP area.
3. Implementation of environmental education activities to promote awareness and engagement among local communities.

The project will last 18 months and will work towards the implementation of public policies that strengthen conservation efforts in the Caatinga.