title: Aula Verde: art as experience in community-based environmental education.
abstract: After winning a class-action lawsuit against unconstitutional prison conditions in Puerto Rico, Marco Abarca managed to direct part of the fine monies accumulated throughout years of litigation toward an investment that would improve the living conditions in one of the largest and poorest housing projects in Puerto Rico. With the participation of parolees and probationers, he began to transform a mosquito-infested badland into a natural haven. Then, with the help of science educators, the group designed a workshop for elementary school children on urban ecology. As the participants organized, what developed was a community-based, self-employed enterprise known as Aula Verde.
authors.affiliation: University of Puerto Rico Law School.
authors.forename: Marco A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abarca
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001154:Art; D003256:Community Participation; D004493:Education; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011638:Public Housing; D011647:Puerto Rico; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult