Uso del periódico Ecos del Parque en el ámbito educativo.

Abstract

Nahuel Huapi National Park (NHNP) is a refuge for nature and culture. It is the largest and oldest national park in Argentina's protected areas system. Its main objectives are the conservation of a representative sample of the Andean-North Patagonian ecosystems, high-altitude hydrological basins, and archaeological sites, the promotion of research, and the provision of facilities for environmental education and recreation in contact with nature. In this sense, environmental education plays a leading role, carrying out actions to protect the environment and encouraging those who inhabit, live in, or visit the protected area to adopt an attitude of respect for their natural surroundings. In turn, environmental education must strategically contribute to mitigating the key problems presented by the environmental crisis and understands that protected areas, as spaces for nature conservation and cultural development, enhance the development of individuals and communities. The NHNP designs various communication and education strategies through the Environmental Education Division, holding talks at various educational institutions in the protected area. Another strategy developed is the Communication Program, which, among other tools, publishes the newspaper Ecos del Parque. This case study investigated the use of the newspaper Ecos del Parque as a communication tool for environmental education in the educational setting. Four focus groups were formed, comprised of first-year secondary school students, at three institutions located in San Carlos de Bariloche. The 40 students who participated had previously received a copy of the 16th edition of the newspaper to be used as part of a classroom activity. Through the focus groups, it was learned that the most frequently used sections were the editorial, the central map, and the Ecos Chicos section. Its use met the students' need for information, which was found without major difficulties, as all of them were able to complete the guide or report requested by the teacher. This case study obtained further information about the relationship between the three educational institutions and the newspaper Ecos del Parque. New aspects were revealed, new meanings were found, where the perspective between the Formal and Non-Formal spheres of education share a space and together reveal an aspect of reality that opens the way to new ways of working.