In this edition, the program trained students from Lages in Santa Catarina to become multipliers of environmental education in their communities
 
Lages, November 4, 2021 – As part of its commitment to contribute to the social and environmental development of the communities where it operates, Klabin, Brazil's largest paper producer and exporter, and the Environmental Police of Santa Catarina held the graduation ceremony of two batches of the Environmental Protectors Program in October. The event, held at the Centro Serra Convention Center, was attended by representatives from the Company and policemen, and honored the 57 students who participated in the program throughout 2020 and 2021. 
 
The initiative provides theoretical and practical training to public elementary school students from Lages to prepare them and make them responsible for disseminating good environmental practices in their communities.  The training program covers topics including the full scenario of environmental preservation, environmental law, local flora and fauna, first aid, citizenship, morals and ethics. 
 
“Being an Environmental Protector made me a more dedicated, honest and responsible person who is also concerned about society. The project makes us aware about environmental issues and, as such, I now want a more prosperous, pollution-free future where we can live in a healthy and clean planet, with a diversity of natural landscapes, flora and fauna. We, the Environmental Protectors, have become a family,” said André Kaue Lourenço, class valedictorian. 
 
Also during the ceremony, other environmental education projects implemented by the 1st Company of the 2nd Environmental Military Police Battalion of Lages were presented, such as the separation of solid waste, an educational museum of taxidermized (stuffed) animals, and the initiative designed to reuse rainwater through the deployment of systems and pressure pumps that supply a bathroom next to the classroom. A forest spanning 2,800 m² and housing more than 200 planted native trees was inaugurated for outdoor environmental education activities. 
 
The Environmental Protectors Program is an initiative of the Environmental Military Police in partnership with the municipal and state education departments, which has received support from Klabin since 2005. Since then, it has already benefitted more than 500 children aged between 11 and 14 years in various cities across the state where the company operates.