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The stunning formations at the newly designated Caçapava do Sul Geopark contain some of the oldest rocks on Earth © courtesy Geoparque Caçapava do Sul
Last month, two zones in Brazil’s southernmost state were recognized by Unesco as Global Geopark regions: Quarta Colônia and Caçapava do Sul, both in Rio Grande do Sul
“Geoparks are territories defined by Unesco as areas that have a geological
geomorphological or paleontological heritage of international relevance and which can use said heritage as an element to facilitate regional development,” explains Dr Adriano Severo Figueiró of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM)
who was part of the team that proposed the regions for this designation
While the two parks are only a two-hour drive apart from each other
each has unique elements that make it an ideal catalyst for regional development
Both of them are incredible sites to visit on your travels to Brazil
“Caçapava do Sul has a geomorphological uniqueness,” explains Dr André Borba
looking out across the succession of 500 million-year-old rock formations for which the park is famous
A professor of geoscience at UFSM and integral member of the Geopark’s research team
Borba has a passion for this part of the world that is more than evident
“These formations were here before any living thing
“What’s really special is that these rocks are exposed in a series of exceptionally beautiful mountain ranges and hills
especially in the Serra da Guaritas and the Serra do Secreto.”
the Pedra do Segredo (Secret Rock) is 120m (394ft) tall
ending up at the famous Portal do Segredo (Secret Portal)
a cave in the high center of the mountain that opens to a panoramic view over the surrounding hills
you’ll have easy access to the Serra do Segredo and its spectacular sunrises
The area is also known for its outdoor climbing routes and is one of the principal points in the country for hang gliding and paragliding
If you’re looking to climb higher – say, to the top of the Pedra do Segredo – or to take trails to some of the further outposts, such as Toca das Carretas or Pedra Furada, you’ll need a guide. Many of the trails remain unmarked, as many of them sit on private lands. Indigenous tribes and quilombos call the region home
Geoparks are different from national parks
may be managed by private entities and can include privately owned lands
The official Unesco designation helps local communities to identify and more deeply appreciate their unique natural surroundings and resources
and to create sustainable revenue models that directly benefit from conservation efforts
Dr Elisângela Lopes da Silva was part of the group that spearheaded the Geopark project and the Unesco designation
Her contribution revolves around tourism development through the work of local artisans
I got to know the female artisans of the region when we still had the Municipal Center for Artisans,” she says
“I noticed there was something missing [that] connected artisan work with tourism in the region.”
Originally a forest ranger and researcher, Dr Lopes da Silva managed to bridge the gap between the park and local artists with a co-op shop and atelier called Com Arte Atelier
located within Caçapava do Sul’s city limits
“I felt we needed to better understand how local artisans view the natural beauty of the region
how they relate to it and how they interpret it.”
What she found was that many artists and artisans of the region didn’t actually know the park zone very well
and then we can develop our work from there,” said Nara Portella
“We are still working on creating a local identity.”
Although it too is replete with rivers and waterfalls
the Quarta Colônia Geopark is best known for the plethora of dinosaur fossils found within its territories
Scientists have even discovered previously unknown species at the site
“In the region of Quarta Colônia, in particular, we have records of some that are the oldest dinosaurs in the world,” says Flávio Pretto, paleontologist at the the Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica (CAPPA)
“We also have a whole series of other animals that coexisted with them.”
the Geopark designation will help to support the research center and its mission
while simultaneously promoting education among local students
“Our work is intimately related to the community
This was one of the reasons CAPPA was created,” Pretto explains
helps ensure that any fossils found within the park’s territories can remain within the community
a professor at Franciscana University and CAPPA researcher
prior important fossil findings were shipped off for study at universities in other states
“our material will be studied here and will stay here
and our students from the region will be able to benefit from it being here.”
With visitors ranging from three to 83 years old
the CAPPA research center works to educate the surrounding residents of all ages
thus deepening its scientists’ paleontological work
“One of the center’s recent major finds wasn’t unearthed by paleontologists,” says Pretto
And thanks to the fact that they knew that it might be a fossil
due to our educational work in the community
and it ended up being a discovery of four almost complete skeletons of a previously undiscovered dinosaur species.”
The town of Caçapava do Sul provides a great base for exploring the park of the same name; Guaritas Hostel Rural is a reliable lodging option. Or you can camp onsite at Pedra do Segredo Municipal Park ($6.30 per day; advance booking and tents required). Guided hikes of other trails requires advance booking and varies in price, depending on the number of hikers.
Tragedy has struck Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker after his father drowned in a lake near his holiday home in southern Brazil.
Jose Becker, 57, had been swimming at a dam on his property when the accident happened on Wednesday afternoon, Doroteo Machado Filho, a police inspector in the town of Lavras do Sul said.
The accident happened around 5pm and no foul play has been suspected.
The Fire Department of Cacapava do Sul were called to the scene before news emerged out of the region later that evening that Mr Becker's body had been located.
Mr Becker, who was a real estate broker, was reportedly found at around midnight by a friend and employee of the family estate in the city of Bage, where Mr Becker lived with his wife Magali.
Alisson, 28, joined Liverpool in 2018 from Roma and was voted FIFA Best Men's Goalkeeper in 2019.
His older brother Muriel, 34, also plays professional football and is a goalkeeper for Fluminense, who are fifth in the Brazilian top division.
Liverpool showed their support to Alisson on social media by posting a picture of him along with the message: 'You'll Never Walk Alone.' Their city neighbours Everton also tweeted support, saying: 'The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with Alisson Becker and his family following the tragic news of the death of his father, Jose Becker.'
Internacional, another top-level Brazilian club who both brothers have previously played for, tweeted their condolences.
'It is with great sadness that we received the news of Jose Agostinho Becker's death, the father of our ex-goalkeepers Alisson and Muriel,' the club said.
Fluminense posted on social media: 'The Fluminense Football Club deeply regrets the death of Jose Agostinho Becker, father of goalkeepers Muriel and Alisson.' tweeted Fluminense.
'We wish all friends and family all the strength.'
In 2018, Alisson spoke about the impact his father had on him in becoming a footballer.
'I have a family of goalkeepers,' he said.
'My father played for his work team, my mother played handball in school, and my grandfather played in amateur football.
'And after all this, came my brother playing and then I started to like it, too.'
Since then Alisson has established himself as arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. He has been a source of consistency at Liverpool since joining in a £67million transfer from Italian club Roma - a then-world record for a goalkeeper.
Upon his arrival, the Reds finished second in the Premier League but won the Champions League in 2018-19 - beating domestic rivals Tottenham 2-0 in the final.
The 28-year-old backed that up last season by winning the Premier League with the Anfield outfit - their first top-flight title in 30 years - as well as the FIFA Club World Cup.
Alisson is also Brazil's first-choice goalkeeper and was part of their triumphant Copa America team in 2019. To date he's won 44 caps for his country.
Alisson Becker's father has died after drowning in a lake in BrazilCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}
Um dos principais produtores de azeite extravirgem do Brasil
Com a presença do governador Eduardo Leite
ocorreu a 9ª Abertura Oficial da Colheita da Oliva
município que integra a Rota das Oliveiras
Leite reconheceu a coragem e a resiliência daqueles que se aventuram a produzir no campo
“Além de todos os desafios jurídicos e econômicos de quem empreende no país
As condições da safra 2018/2019 para a cultura foram positivas
resultando em 1,4 milhão de quilos de azeitonas
Isso culminou na produção de 198,6 mil litros de azeite extravirgem
as condições da safra 2020/2021 foram abaladas devido a fatores climáticos
O presidente do Instituto Brasileiro da Olivicultura (Ibraoliva)
projeta uma expectativa de quebra de produção
Pouco frio e semanas de temperaturas elevadas proporcionaram uma floração desuniforme”
a expectativa é de que a qualidade do óleo produzido se mantenha
“O volume da safra não interfere na qualidade dos azeites gaúchos
que se caracterizam pelo sabor intenso e picante devido à colheita com azeitonas ainda verdes
o nosso azeite chega às mesas dos consumidores com o frescor do azeite jovem”
onde ocorreu a solenidade de abertura da colheita
“Temos o compromisso de impulsionar a olivicultura no Estado
Além da importância para o mercado gastronômico
a produção de azeite e o cultivo das oliveiras se tornam um atrativo turístico
A olivicultura no Estado tem grande potencial de expansão e já cresceu de 80 hectares em 2006 para 6 mil hectares em 2020
cultivados por mais de 300 produtores em 65 municípios
o Brasil conte com 25 mil hectares plantados de olivas
Santana do Livramento e Sentinela do Sul concentram a maioria dos olivais
entregou o documento que homologa a situação de emergência do município devido ao período de estiagem
foram definidas algumas das medidas que serão tomadas para diminuir o impacto da falta de chuva nas produções agrícolas do Estado
a ampliação do número de agentes da Defesa Civil responsáveis pela análise da documentação enviada pelos prefeitos
a fim de agilizar o levantamento da quantidade de perfuração de poços e de caixas d'água necessárias e dos decretos de situação de emergência
Também compareceram à cerimônia de abertura da colheita o presidente da Assembleia Legislativa
Luís Augusto Lara e Luiz Fernando Mainardi
o Programa Estadual de Desenvolvimento da Olivicultura (Pró-Oliva)
com o objetivo de intensificar a cooperação e as ações envolvendo instituições municipais
estaduais e federais e a iniciativa privada em prol da cultura
o Pró-Oliva está baseado em subprogramas de mudas de qualidade e defesa sanitária
industrialização de azeites e de conservas e crédito e financiamentos
depois de dezenas de reuniões da Câmara Setorial das Oliveiras
os produtores criaram o Instituto Brasileiro de Olivicultura (Ibraoliva)
foi promulgada uma lei que criou a Rota das Oliveiras
Texto: Suzy ScartonEdição: Vitor Necchi/Secom