Landscape Hero nomination

Maria Santos Nationality: Brazilian
Country of residence: Brazil

Dona Maria

Family - Very close bonds keeps the struggling family together - Vale do Jequitinhonha - Minas Gerais, Brazil - Miguel Pinheiro

In southeast Brazil, traditional communities defend their right to manage the meadows where they have lived for centuries from agriculture and the harvesting of flowers.

Hope - The children grow fast, and very soon they understand how special the community is - Vale do Jequitinhonha - Minas Gerais, Brazil - Miguel Pinheiro

In recent years, the creation of conservation parks has barred the access to the flowers in the region.

Ritual - Early morning. Maria is the first to wake up - Vale do Jequitinhonha - Minas Gerais, Brazil - Miguel Pinheiro

A maroon community struggles to return to the traditional management practices that gave the meadows the environmental features still preserved today.

Silence - At certain moments it seems like all is a dream - Vale do Jequitinhonha - Minas Gerais, Brazil - Miguel Pinheiro

The community is a candidate for the UN World Heritage Award. There are only 57 such places in the world. This may be the first to be recognized in Brazil! All thanks to Maria…

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