As part of the ¨Islas y Canales Verdes del Río Uruguay¨ project, infrastructure for public use was developed in the area of the Esteros de Farrapos National Park and the Uruguay River Islands.

The construction of these shelters in natural spaces and islands seek to promote nature tourism and environmental education. They function as a rest station set in harmony with nature within a conservation area and can accommodate eight to ten people.

The infrastructure is simple: they are made of metal with wood cladding and are six meters high to prevent water from reaching them during river floods, and the openings overlooking the river have mosquito nets.They have toilets with a foundation system that support the drag of the currents in the event of river surges, which prevents contamination of the protected area.

The shelters will be open to schools and neighbors in the area, and then move on to a second phase of greater visitation.

Within the framework of the ¨Islas y Canales Verdes del Río Uruguay¨ project, together with the support of the government of Río Negro and the Ministry of Environment, the kayak schools of San Javier and Nuevo Berlín, located in Fray Bentos, have developed a proposal open to schools throughout the country: the Kayak for Schools program.

Initially this program is focused on primary, secondary and UTU schools of the coast in the departments of Paysandú, Río Negro and Soriano (not excluding other departments). Kayak for Schools offers the possibility of living a nature tourism and environmental
nature tourism and environmental education associated with a protected area such as the Esteros de Farrapos e Islas del Río Uruguay National Park.

The program is located in San Javier, since the town and its Municipal Kayak School offer logistical support, instructors and the necessary safety elements, both for the nautical and environmental education activities. This program is totally synergic with the cross-cutting policies of ANEP’s Educational Development Plan, so the proposal may be of interest to schools in the area, providing a nature classroom for students on issues related to sports, health and biodiversity with a strong imprint of the local culture of the Uruguay River.

For more information clic here.