EspaTerritorial Articulation of Academic Practices: a Teaching and Outreach Model at the University of Antioquiañol

Abstract

Activities conducted outside the classroom allow students to interact directly with reality, fostering meaningful
and participatory learning. This work presents the results of the university extension project titled In Search of
Green Heritage: Trees with Neighborhood Identity -Semillateca-, approved in December 2023 by the Secretary of
Culture and Extension of the Universidad Nacional del Sur. This project is derived from some of the content of the
Biogeography Cultural course curriculum. There were two main objectives: to support neighbors by providing them
with tools for making decisions regarding interventions in the urban tree canopy, and to promote active community
participation in understanding urban forestry. This work presents the results of methodologies applied to study
vegetation and neighborhood perceptions of urban trees, taking the Parque Patagonia neighborhood in the city
of Bahía Blanca as the starting point. A survey of the tree population was conducted, establishing its diversity and
studying the variation in tree cover percentage over the past six years. Additionally, surveys were conducted within
the community to understand their valuation of the trees in their neighborhood. The importance of collective orga
nization among neighbors in response to tree removal for public works was recognized. It concludes that citizen ac
tions to protect green spaces strengthen the right to the city and the need for active participation in urban planning