The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment stated in Horta that the third edition of the School Contest - "Water that unites us" will count, for the first time, with the collaboration of the municipal authorities from the islands classified as Biosphere Reserve and São Jorge Island; the latter is preparing its application to this award.

Luís Neto Viveiros spoke at the presentation of the initiative, stressing that this year's edition will be held under the theme "It is the soil sustains life." This theme "contributes to the celebrations of the International Year of Soils, proclaimed by the United Nations for 2015," the government official said, adding that any "school establishment of the regional public network and private school can participate in this initiative."

The regional edition of this competition are includes two sub-themes, Geoparks and Biosphere Reserves, in order to promote a better understanding of the Azores Geopark and Biosphere Reserves as well as "their role in sustainable development of the Azorean society," said the Regional Secretary.

The Regional Secretary also stressed "the involvement of students and teachers to create original communication materials - posters and videos - which may be used by school communities as a civic tool for discussion and reflection on the importance of soils."

In fact, soils are a vital natural resource for the existence and survival of different living beings on the planet, many of them are directly dependent on the soil, as plant species, and others indirectly, such as human beings.

The rules and all information about this contest are available on the Azores Geopark Internet page at www.azoresgeopark.com and on the theme portal of the Regional Directorate for the Environment at http://educarparaoambiente.azores.gov.pt.

Those who are interested can also get more information at the email addresses [email protected] and [email protected] or at the "Ecoteca" (Environmental Awareness Raising Centre) of their island's Natural Park and at the municipal authorities located in Biosphere Reserves.

The contest runs until April 30 and the results will be announced on the World Environment Day, June 5.