Students and faculty from the Forest Engineering program visited the Palestina Educational Institution in Huila to showcase the academic programs of this Faculty and to promote the conservation of oak forests.

As part of the Black Oak Conservation in the Colombian Massif project and the "Aprópiate" program of FACA, students and professors from the Forest Engineering program visited the Palestina Educational Institution in the department of Huila.

During the visit, which took place from August 21 to 23, information sessions were held about the undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the Faculty, targeting the teachers and students from 10th, 11th grades, and the CLEI VI semester of the institution's evening program.

In this way, theoretical and practical workshops were conducted with parents and sixth-grade students on the conservation of oak forests, during which they worked on improving the institution's nursery.

Provided photo

Finally, the commitment to the conservation of these species in the region was reaffirmed through the planting of three oak trees and the delivery of seedlings for planting at their homes.

The Applied Silviculture Research Group at the University of Cauca leads the project "Conservation and Management of Colombobalanus excelsa Forests in the Colombian Massif," which aims to conserve and manage oak forests in the Colombian Massif.

This region, crucial for its biodiversity, faces serious issues such as deforestation and habitat fragmentation due to agriculture, livestock farming, and illegal logging.

So far, we have made significant progress in several areas. Fourteen permanent sampling plots have been established to collect taxonomic data on the trees, wood samples have been gathered for anatomical observations and functional analyses, and we have initiated the evaluation of the seed bank.

Provided photo

Additionally, we have begun implementing community conservation strategies with the support of the Palestina Educational Institution, which promotes environmental awareness and empowers the community to participate in the conservation of oak forests.

The "Aprópiate de la FACA" program was created in response to the demand from educational institutions in the municipalities of Cauca and other parts of Colombia that wish to learn about the facilities and academic programs of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.

The program aims to connect high school students with FACA through theoretical and practical activities. This way, students can explore the facilities and gain a detailed understanding of the academic programs offered.

Since the program's inception in the 2023-2 to 2024-1 period, 3,797 students from 35 educational institutions have participated, and 40 invitations have been received to attend university fairs at the national level.

In addition to the students, the program also includes visits for administrative staff, professors, and students from other faculties of the University of Cauca, fostering a sense of belonging and integration.

The program also aims to extend its reach to local and national higher education institutions, in collaboration with interested entities, to promote the Faculty's academic offerings and create opportunities for collaboration on projects and activities.

Image of Students from Palestina Educational Institution
 

Written by: Communications Management Center.