Futsal scores goals for wildlife and rural communities: Protecting peccaries, forests, and streams in Brazil’s Pantanal
It uses Futsal
Entered the Sport for the Environment Award
More about Futsal scores goals for wildlife and rural communities: Protecting peccaries, forests, and streams in Brazil’s Pantanal
Unchecked deforestation, agricultural expansion and inefficient land use practices in Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands and bordering Cerrado forests not only threaten the iconic wildlife species, but also the health and livelihoods of the rural community.
The community is comprised primarily of small-holder dairy and subsistence farmers who support a few livestock animals and mixed crops for local consumption. As in other impoverished part of the world, community health and livelihoods are directly dependent on clean water, productive soils and other natural resources.
WCS uses Futsal tournaments as a community platform for education and engagement by developing Futsal players into passionate advocates for natural resource conservation. Taking advantage of the popularity of Futsal tournaments, the athletes, after some training by WCS, share information with families, friends, and fans to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable land use practices and natural resource conservation in maintaining community health and long-term sustainability of rural livelihoods.