Design of a campaign to promote environmental care in the Ana Paez Educational Unit

Introduction: Environmental pollution in Ecuador seriously affected the quality of life of the population and natural ecosystems. Factors such as industrial activity, intensive agriculture and mining contributed to the deterioration of air, soil and water, also impacting educational institutions. The Ana Paez Educational Unit, located in Latacunga, faced these challenges, evidencing the need to implement an educational campaign that promotes environmental commitment through practical and participatory activities aimed at students, teachers and staff. The research adopted a critical propositional approach that questioned traditional methods and proposed concrete solutions. A mixed paradigm was used: quantitative, through surveys applied to a sample of students and teachers, and qualitative, to interpret the impacts of pollution. The study was of the applied, documentary and field type, and information was collected through direct observation, literature review and structured questionnaires. The findings revealed a high level of interest of the educational community in the implementation of environmental activities. A total of 66.7% of the respondents supported the implementation of practical projects, highlighting a greater interest in the cultivation of fruit and medicinal plants. In addition, artistic botany was recognized as an educational tool to foster creativity, reduce stress, and develop intellectual and psychomotor skills. The research concluded that the implementation of an innovative environmental campaign in the Ana Paez Educational Unit has the potential to strengthen environmental awareness, develop practical skills and improve community engagement, laying the foundation for sustainable and replicable change in other educational institutions