Recovery of a Green Area Inside the Campus of the Federal University of Santa Catarina Through Agroecological Agroforestry Systems

The “CFH Forest” is a green area of five hectares in the UFSC campus, which shelters areas for permanent preservation of riparian forest and remaining of native vegetation. Besides the ecological function, area is a living space for university community. Over the years, the use and occupation of this area have caused negative environmental impact, generating erosion, compaction and loss of soil organic matter, leading to increased environmental degradation. The Agroecological Agroforestry Systems (Agroecological AFS) have been considered as an alternative approach for environmental recovery as it promotes efficiency and optimization of natural resources for production in an integrated form. This article aims to report the experience of this recovery project within the university campus, using Agroecological AFS, along with the principles of permaculture and the concept of energetic zones, through the “CFH Forest Environmental Recovery Project”, with students, teachers and technicians participation. After two years of project execution, some results are already visible, such as vegetation growth, soil recovery, erosion control and improvement of ecological awareness through education, stimulated by workshops, joint efforts and the promotion of a healthier environment.