100 children from Concepción unveil a mural celebrating the natural wealth of El Cerrado
After months of learning, exploration, and creative work, 100 children from Concepción unveiled the mural "El Cerrado: Diversity and Natural Wealth," a 50-meter-long collaborative artwork that now stands as a new symbol for the city and an invitation to appreciate one of South America's most important ecosystems. It is located at the corner of Mcal. José Estigarribia and Cerro Cora streets.
The Cerrado is a large natural region in South America, known as the world's most biodiverse savanna. It is characterized by combining grasslands, shrubs, and trees adapted to poor soil conditions and varied climates, and it is home to an enormous diversity of plants and animals. Although it often goes unnoticed, it plays a key role in environmental balance and in providing water and other essential services for life.
The artwork was created by artist Lucas Wé in collaboration with the children participating in the Exploradores Concepción program by MAPA Abriendo Caminos. It was declared of National Cultural Interest by the National Secretariat of Culture and of Municipal Interest by the Municipality of Concepción.
This edition of the program was made possible thanks to the vision and commitment of Paracel, a driving partner of Exploradores that enables the program to reach the city, and Banco Sudameris, a national partner of the program that allows for expanding learning, art, and creativity opportunities in various parts of the country.
The initiative is part of Paracel's commitment to the sustainable development of the region, driving actions that contribute to its net biodiversity gain strategy, which aims to improve the state of biodiversity in its area of influence compared to what would have occurred in this landscape without the company's presence. The company has established over 94,000 ha of conservation areas in a mosaic landscape alongside forest production. In this context, valuing the Cerrado plays a central role.
Through educational workshops, artistic activities, and discovery experiences, participants explored the biodiversity, landscapes, and species inhabiting the Cerrado, understanding its ecological importance and reflecting on the need for its conservation. This approach aligns with Paracel's actions aimed at the protection and restoration of ecosystems; the company is home to over 1,300 species on its properties, promoting the balance of its operations with the surrounding environment.
All that learning was transformed into a collective artwork that portrays the diversity of this ecosystem and the perspective of a new generation committed to its care.
More than an artistic intervention, the mural represents a process of education, participation, and collective construction where the children took on the role of guardians of nature, using art to raise community awareness about the importance of the Cerrado. This initiative helps strengthen the bond between Paracel and the community, promoting a shared vision of development that integrates the protection of natural heritage.
The project is part of the Exploradores program, a MAPA initiative that introduces children to the knowledge of their territory, culture, and biodiversity through creative experiences that strengthen skills such as curiosity, creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.
A legacy for the city
Spanning 50 meters, “El Cerrado: Diversity and Natural Wealth” is much more than just a mural. It's the culmination of hours of learning, imagination, and collaborative work; a piece created by children to inspire the entire community to value and protect the natural wealth surrounding them.
Today, this initiative also reflects how art and education can become key allies in promoting sustainability and conservation, in line with Paracel's vision of generating a lasting positive impact on biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources, and people.
