In the first week of July, Copaíba received a group of young Americans as volunteers to contribute to the institution's actions. They came through a program of the “International Exchange Experience”, a network specialized in exchange that operates in more than 30 countries.

The young students arrived in Brazil at the end of June and, already learning Portuguese, began their volunteer activities. In order to get to know the country, young Americans volunteer in different sectors that bring them closer to the local culture and nature. For Sharon Woodyatt, Local Coordinator of the Experimento Program, all the exchange work is related to the study of the environment, and Copaíba's work is inserted in this context. Other destinations are programmed for the young volunteers' itinerary.

At Copaíba, they learn by doing. “Here they really help and learn by working. It is a time to experience new experiences in direct contact with nature and at the same time collaborate for the institution's own actions, such as the production of seedlings”, comments Flávia Balderi, Copaíba's Executive Secretary.

The young people planted jatobá seeds to help the production of seedlings in the Viveiro and also planted seedlings of native trees in the Copaíba Forest Reserve. The seedlings will contribute to the enrichment of the forest that is forming.

The visit to Copaíba is a different experience in the lives of these young people. "Today's experience made us realize, as a human, how close we are to nature... Being able to be connected with our "I", and thus remember and rethink this harmony that exists between us and nature", comments Ellie Schott, leader of the group of North American volunteers.

For Copaíba, contributing to the formation of the conscience of these young people is very gratifying. For Experimento Intercâmbio Internacional, the impression is the same. “With these volunteer work, we can transform the lives of these young people and Copaíba is contributing to this end, to make them more aware citizens. Thus, they will be able to multiply this new perception of environmental conservation wherever they are”, comments Sharon Woodyatt.