The project “Restoration of riparian forests of springs and water courses in the Rio do Peixe basin”, carried out in Socorro, by the Copaíba Environmentalist Association with support from the State Water Resources Fund (FEHIDRO), aims to contribute to the restoration of forests riparian areas of springs and tributaries of the Rio do Peixe.

This project began in 2015 (Contract 292/2014 – MOGI 417) with the planting of 12,600 seedlings of trees native to the Atlantic Forest. These seedlings were planted around 10 springs and on the banks of 8 tributary streams of the Rio do Peixe. At this moment, the seedlings, almost trees, are being cared for to continue growing and, soon, form a new forest.

Another important action that is part of this project is the environmental awareness work that is being carried out with the students of the Municipal School of Lavras de Baixo, Socorro neighborhood, where the property in the process of restoration is located. The proposal is to involve the neighborhood community on the importance of recovering forests for water conservation.

All school students participated in the activities. Copaíba representatives, Mayra Tavares and Vanessa Manias, visited the school and spent the day with the students, sharing experiences and exchanging new learnings about nature conservation.

The day ended with the planting of yellow ipe seedlings, which will be cared for by the children and later can be part of the school's green area.

For Roseli Szabo, teacher of the 5th. year of the Municipal School of Lavras de Baixo, this is a worthwhile effort. “This school work is very interesting. The students were able to realize, in practice, the importance of preserving the environment. They learned that there are people who are really interested in protecting Socorro's “green life”, and how much they can also contribute”, adds the teacher.