As part of it's continuing pledge to the ideals of eco tourism, the Serra Malagueta Natural Park is deeply committed to improving the quality of life for the people living in and around the area of the park. Projects and training courses occur regularly within the park and buffer zones for capacity building of the local communities. The aims include creating sustainable development tools for the communities, and improving upon already existing practices and knowledge. To accomplish this the Community Development Department focuses on two main areas of work:
1. Provide the necessary information, instruction, equipment, and opportunities for the community to help enhance their quality of life, both economically and socially.
2. Develop an increased awareness and respect for the environment within the local community.
The Community Development Dept. organizes many training sessions at the park and within the buffer zones. These sessions are aimed at promoting traditional crafts and practices while developing a sustainable form of income for the people in the community. Some of the training sessions that have been held include: paper recycling, decorative weaving, association building, small business development, and many more. Information exchange is also an important part of the relationship between the park and the neighboring communities. Through this relationship the park is able to conduct educational surveys, gather information on endemic plants, perform land tenure studies, and many more invaluable tasks with far greater efficiency and effectiveness because of local participation.
Environmental education is an important component of the Community Development Dept as well as the Ecology Dept. Environmental Education is directed primarily at the youth of the community. Members of the Community Development team travel to schools within the park boundaries, giving presentations, playing educative games, providing materials, and conducting surveys: all with the intension of increasing environmental awareness and responsibility. The park also sponsors eco clubs that amongst many initiatives, organize day trips to the park and clean up trash near their community.
As part of it's continuing commitment to improving the lives of the people of Serra Malagueta, the park has installed fog harvesting nets to provide water to the community. First the nets are placed perpendicular to the ground in a suitable location. As water vapor passes through the nets, it collects on their surface. When enough water collects that it can no longer cling to the net, it runs down into a collection basin and is piped through a filte. Minerals are added to make it suitable for drinking. Currently the fog collectors supply drinking water for the school as well as the rest of the community. The water from the collectors is also used to supply water to drip agriculture located in the school, which is in turn used to provide meals for the students. It is yet another example of how Serra Malagueta Natural Park works to meet the needs of the community while leaving the smallest possible ecological footprint.
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