REN takes the Heróis de Toda a Espécie” programme to elementary schools

REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais begins a series of activities this week as part of the 'Heróis de toda a espécie' programme that will visit elementary schools throughout the country. This programme, which is being run in conjunction with Quercus, seeks to make the younger generation aware of the importance of protecting biodiversity, preserving Portuguese forests and conserving animal and vegetable species that are either endangered or on the verge of extinction.

The 'Heróis de toda a espécie' programme, which is supported by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) and the Directorate-General of Education, is aimed at pupils of years three and four (9 and 10 year olds) of the 1st stage of basic education. It seeks to make them real ambassadors of the importance of biodiversity. This programme, designed to complement the school curricula, will use an interactive and dynamic approach in promoting environmental awareness and encouraging a sense of responsibility among the younger generation.

Theatre, games and tree planting will be the focus of these activities involving around 250 pupils at the Lagoas School Campus in Ponte de Lima, on 16 February, and the Bouro School Campus in Santa Maria de Bouro and Prado Primary School 1 in Vila de Prado, on 17 February. The activities will also include a presentation about animal and plant species by Quercus.

All content will be made available on the website set up for this purpose at www.heroisdetodaaespecie.pt, which in addition to the teaching material to be used in the classroom will also offer educational games, interesting curiosities and news items. This content was developed by Consulai and BIO3, with technical support from Quercus.

REN also intends to publish on the site and on the company's corporate site and social media pages all the initiatives and activities related to biodiversity, carried out by local councils and elementary schools, thereby fostering national critical mass.

For this edition of the programme, REN has chosen to highlight the Bonelli's eagle, the black stork, the Iberian wolf, the cork oak, the holly tree and the strawberry tree, which will play a featured role in all the activities being undertaken. New animal and vegetable species will be added in the future.

This initiative seeks to significantly reinforce the partnership established between REN and ICNF in 2008, under the 'Business & Biodiversity' programme promoted by Portugal when it held the Presidency of the EU. The partnerships for biodiversity are joint projects between companies, NGOs and public authorities to strengthen economic instruments for biodiversity conservation through joint management actions.