Environmental Education at the Center for Conservation and Environmental Education, located within the grounds of the Botanic and Zoological Garden.

The Municipalidad de Asunción is promoting environmental education and the cultivation of medicinal plants through the Centro de Conservación y Educación Ambiental (CCEAM). Located within the Jardín Botánico y Zoológico de Asunción (JBZA), the program focuses on preserving native flora and providing public instruction on sustainable natural resources.

The CCEAM operates as a specialized unit within the JBZA to facilitate community engagement with biodiversity. According to the Municipalidad de Asunción, the center integrates plant cultivation with educational outreach to increase public awareness of environmental conservation.

The initiative focuses on the recovery and promotion of plant species used in traditional medicine. The program aims to document these species and teach visitors about their biological properties and sustainable harvesting methods.

How does the medicinal plant program function?

The program utilizes the botanical infrastructure of the JBZA to create dedicated spaces for medicinal species. These areas serve as living classrooms where the CCEAM provides instruction on the identification and use of native plants. According to municipal reports, the goal is to bridge the gap between traditional botanical knowledge and formal environmental education.

Visitors and students engage with the collection through guided tours and workshops. These activities focus on the ecological importance of the species and the risks associated with over-harvesting in the wild.

What is the role of the Municipalidad de Asunción in this initiative?

The Municipalidad de Asunción manages the JBZA and the CCEAM as public assets. The city administration oversees the funding and operational staffing required to maintain the gardens and execute the educational curriculum. By integrating the CCEAM into the zoo and botanical garden, the municipality centralizes its urban conservation efforts.

This management strategy focuses on two distinct but complementary pillars: general environmental literacy and the specific preservation of medicinal flora. While general education targets broad sustainability, the medicinal plant project focuses on the cultural and pharmaceutical value of native Paraguayan species.

The municipality uses the center to reach diverse demographics, including local school groups and residents of Asunción, to promote the city’s green infrastructure.