O geocaching e a paisagem: valorização do patrimônio paisagístico do Geoparque Quarta Colônia Mundial Unesco, Rio Grande do Sul por meio de um instrumento geoeducativo

• Ano de defesa: 2025
• Autor(a) principal: Aguiar, Diego Oliveira
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Instituição de defesa: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Brasil; UFSM; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia; Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas
• Palavras-chave em Português: Geocaching; EarthCaching geoeducation; Quarta Colônia Geopark; Landscape heritage; EarthCaching geoeducação; Geoparque Quarta Colônia; Patrimônio paisagístico; CNPQ::CIENCIAS HUMANAS::GEOGRAFIA
• Link de acesso: http://repositorio.ufsm.br/handle/1/37162

This Master’s Dissertation aims to propose strategies for implementing geocaching as a geoeducational tool in order to promote the appreciation of the landscape heritage of the Quarta Colônia UNESCO Global Geopark. The Geopark covers a territorial area of 2,923 km², located in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. Geocaching, as a geoeducational instrument, can be a valuable tool for engaging visitors in a practical and exploratory learning experience that deepens their understanding of the natural worldTo accomplish this objective, an exploratory qualitative research was carried out, based on bibliographic and documentary sources. A strategic plan was developed to analyze the landscape heritage of the Geopark, with emphasis on the Geopatrimony and geosites, in order to identify which elements of this heritage would be selected to support the implementation of new caches. Consequently, thirteen locations were selected for the creation of geocaches. The selection criteria considered heritage value, potential for cache creation, and the representativeness of the heritage highlighted by the Geopark. Among these thirteen caches, ten are original EarthCaches and three are revitalized traditional caches. As a result, geocaching has been revitalized and expanded in the Quarta Colônia Geopark, establishing itself as a potential geoeducational tool to be utilized within the territory. This revitalization and expansion occurred primarily through the creation of 12 new caches (installation was not possible at one of the selected locations) and the extensive maintenance of the 11 previously existing caches. A workshop was also held with the aim of promoting geocaching as a geoeducational instrument to teachers in the region. It was part of the program of the 6th Interdisciplinary Conference on Teacher Training in Heritage Education and was attended by 11 teachers from public schools within the Quarta Colônia.