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This study analyzes spatio-temporal changes in land use and land cover in the municipality of Pinheiro, Maranhão, from 1985 to 2024, integrating remote sensing data, geoprocessing techniques, and citizen science observations. The dynamics of land use and land cover were assessed using MapBiomas data derived from Landsat images (spatial resolution of 30 m) for the entire time series and Sentinel-2 images (10 m) for the most recent years, enabling the identification of long-term trends and more detailed spatial patterns. The results indicate the predominance of forest formations throughout the period analyzed, accompanied by a progressive reduction in natural vegetation and floodplains, in contrast to the significant expansion of pasture areas and the gradual growth of urban areas, highlighting the increase in anthropogenic pressures on the municipal landscape. As a complementary approach, field activities were carried out with high school students from IFMA – Campus Pinheiro, using the GLOBE Observer application. In total, 363 georeferenced observations were recorded, which contributed to the visual validation of land use and land cover classes and to the interpretation of local dynamics. The integration of remote sensing and citizen science proved to be a robust approach for monitoring changes in land use and land cover at the local scale. In addition to generating environmental data, the study highlights the educational potential of citizen science in strengthening scientific literacy, environmental awareness, and student engagement, providing relevant inputs for territorial planning and sustainable environmental management in the Baixada Maranhense region.