n November 2005, Gerdau Divinópolis completed the infrastructure improvements at Grasshopper Park (Parque do Gafanhoto), an area covering over 19 hectares beside highway MG 050 near the Pará river in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

The unit’s investment resulted in the construction of an environmental study center, an amphitheatre, biology and geology labs and entomology and mineralogy museums. The main entrance, classrooms, and tables and benches distributed throughout the park were renovated. To complete the work, Gerdau Divinópolis donated a computer, television, DVD player, and chairs for the auditorium.

The study center will carry out research to define a park management plan, with a survey of the existing flora and fauna and the setting up of trails for observation and environmental education. The work will serve as a foundation for the creation of a database on the local ecosystem.

With its new look, Grasshopper Park will serve as the headquarters for human resource training activities such as courses and seminars. It will also be used as an educational and practical tool to teach students from local schools. At the same time, awareness raising campaigns in the community will show the importance of maintaining Grasshopper Park as an ecological reserve and study and research area.

Gerdau Divinópolis supports the Grasshopper Park project through a technical cooperation agreement with the City Educational Foundation and the State University of Minas Gerais.