Recovering a spring goes far beyond following a “cake recipe”. It’s a complex journey, full of challenges and with an impact that goes far beyond what the eye can see.
This story comes to life in Taparuba, Minas Gerais, through the Olhos D’Água program – an initiative of the Terra Institute aimed at recovering and protecting springs in the Doce River Basin, one of the most important in southeastern Brazil.
In this edition of the program, the focus is on restoring 36 springs. This involves not only reforestation and isolation of areas, but also direct support for small rural producers, encouraging them to take care of the natural resources on their properties themselves.
In initiatives like this, environmental education plays a key role. Changing the way people see nature requires patience, active listening and sensitivity. But it is in situations of water scarcity that this transformation accelerates – and few know this as well as the residents of Três Barras, a district of Taparuba.
Many faced critical moments, without water for their own consumption or for their animals. For this reason, the arrival of the Olhos D’Água program in the region was greeted with enthusiasm. With technical guidance and ongoing support, the producers have come together to protect an essential spring for the district.
This story shows us that restoring a spring is not just about following a technical roadmap. It’s about facing challenging logistics and, above all, transforming lives – human, plant and animal.
It also reinforces that the Olhos D’Água program, with the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, is on the right track: leaving deep marks, both on the landscape and on the consciousness of those who live there.