Bom dia, gente! My name is Silas Fernandes and I am a rising sophomore in the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences and Frederick Honors College. I’m studying Ecology & Evolution and work part time at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; if you haven’t already guessed, my academic interests lie in all things environmental. I’m from a small town called Oxford, Connecticut and went to high school in an even smaller town called Woodbury; an agricultural high school, at that. I love getting my hands dirty (in the literal sense—I’m a big soil nerd) and immersing myself in new places, both culturally and physically. This summer, I will be participating in the absolutely incredible Field Trip & Seminar program run by the Center for Latin American Studies, which this year will be held in Santarém, Brazil.
Santarém resides on the meeting of the Amazon River with the Tapajós River. The Amazon Basin is well-known for its incredible biodiversity and general ecological significance. To be able to visit is a privilege that I will always be incredibly grateful for. There is nothing I’m not extremely excited for: Hiking in the FLONA (Floresta Nacional do Tapajós), swimming in Alter do Chão, bonding with my host family, purchasing a pair of havianas, and hanging out in the plazas.
Speaking of plazas, that leads me to my research: investigating the value of green spaces in the urban Amazon. While the Amazon is an incredibly ecologically significant place, it is also recognized for the level of deforestation and development that has taken place there. Santarém, albeit small (especially by Brazil’s standards), is still a city. In fact, its population is comparable to Pittsburgh’s. In many cities, green spaces are residents’ primary connection with the natural world; I want to know how much the citizens of Santarém value this connection. Whether it be inspiration for their colorful clothing, or a spiritual connection with the natural world, I am ecstatic to discover what the Amazon means to the wonderful people of Santarém.
Of course, this trip holds an even more personal significance for me: My dad was born and raised in Brazil, and I myself am a dual Brazilian/American citizen. Over time, I feel that connection with such an important aspect of my culture has unfortunately weakened. Although Santarém is very different from Rio de Janeiro (where my family is from), I hope that the language and culture in Santarém will help me to reopen doors of communication with my family members who are still in Brazil.
I am immensely grateful to both the Center for Latin American Studies and to the Martinson Elevate award for making this experience possible for me. Stay tuned; I’ll be updating here during and after my trip.
Até mais!
– Silas