On February 8, a dynamic workshop was held at IES El Palmeral in collaboration with TEAM#UP and the Living Lab Renaturem sud d’Alacant. The event marked the beginning of an ambitious ecological restoration project at the educational center, aimed at enhancing both the natural environment and the educational experience.
A Participatory approach with local stakeholders
During this participatory session, local stakeholders came together to discuss and define the general objectives for the restoration.
The workshop resulted in the identification of 17 key goals, which included:
- Improvement of biodiversity
- Educational purposes
- Enhancement of cultural assets
- Restoration of the functionality of water bodies
- Genetic reserve of the fartet (Aphanius iberus)
- Promoting the relationship between biodiversity and traditional practices
- Demonstrative pilot project
- Well-being of the educational community
- Collaboration among the sectors of the quadruple helix of innovation
- Creation of a long-term strategy
- Student motivation
- Transfer to other high schools and universities
- Prestige of the institutions
- Cultural identity
- Improvement of landscape diversity
- Use of local and indigenous crops/varieties
Zoning the IES El Palmeral environment
A comprehensive zoning of the center’s surroundings was conducted, taking into account how the educational community currently uses these areas, their historical significance, and their ecological potential. This analysis led to tailored restoration actions for each zone.
Tailored restoration actions
Based on the zoning results, the workshop proposed specific restoration actions:
- Agricultural zones for educational use: Two distinct agricultural areas were identified. One would maintain traditional agricultural practices, while the other would adopt sustainable yet more intensive production methods. This dual approach aims to provide exemplary cases of both agricultural modalities for the students.
- Recreational Areas: Plans include enhancing student recreational spaces by providing necessary features such as shade and open areas for relaxation, while simultaneously fostering a biodiverse and pleasant environment.
- Preserving Cultural and Ecological Heritage: One notable feature within the analyzed area is a hemp raft, which not only holds significant historical and cultural value but also presents a unique opportunity for biodiversity conservation. With its potential to serve as a protective habitat for emblematic species like the fartet (Aphanius ibericus), the raft stands as a focal point for raising environmental awareness among students.
In addition, the proposal includes the installation of natural hedgerows along the perimeter of the center. These living screens are designed to reduce the visual and auditory impact of the nearby road and to mitigate the entry of agricultural chemicals from surrounding fields.
A Promising Path Forward
Given its strategic location, the commitment of its teaching staff, and the combination of educational, cultural, and ecological values, this restoration project at IES El Palmeral is poised to make a significant contribution to enhancing the natural landscape of southern Alicante. The initiative not only promises to enrich the local environment but also serves as a stimulating model for ecological restoration in educational settings.
Through collaborative efforts and innovative planning, IES El Palmeral is setting the stage for a greener, more sustainable future—one that benefits both the community and the natural world.
Celia de Llanos