CREATIVES

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From Degraded to Sustainable: The Restoration of Clay Pits

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The "From Degraded to Sustainable" project aims to restore the environmental and social value of abandoned clay pits in Campos dos Goytacazes, transforming areas degraded by illegal clay extraction into productive and sustainable ecosystems. The initiative combines environmental conservation, income generation, and community integration, focusing on preserving tropical peatlands, which are essential for biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

Main Project Vertices:

Environmental Restoration: Reforestation and reintroduction of native species to restore vegetation in tropical peatlands. Sustainable techniques are used to maintain wetland areas, which are crucial for preserving the ecosystem and capturing carbon, promoting natural regeneration.

Sustainable Aquaculture: Implementation of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in clay pits, using treated water for fish farming. This approach generates income for the local community while keeping the peatland areas moist, preserving biodiversity and creating new employment opportunities.

Carbon Credit Exploitation: Establishment of a consortium to commercialize carbon credits generated by peatland restoration. This aspect aims to make the project financially viable in the long term by generating revenue from carbon credit sales in the carbon market.

Circular Economy and Community Sustainability: Involving the local community in all project stages, promoting circular economy practices and environmental education. Integration of local ceramicists and other productive activities encourages participation and community empowerment, creating a sustainable cycle of preservation and development.

Environmental Education and Research: Developing educational programs to train the community and raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. The project also serves as a research hub, generating knowledge on tropical peatland restoration and disseminating sustainable practices.

Partnerships and Institutional Support: Collaboration with research institutions, environmental organizations, and local partners to maximize the project's positive impacts. The partnership with FIPERJ and local ceramicists exemplifies the collaborative model adopted.

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