Researchers from the University of Valencia and technicians from the Diputación analysed last Thursday the current state and future of Municipal Natural Sites. The Botanic Garden was the stage for this dialogue forum in which academic specialists, technicians from the Diputacion and local entities, associations and neighbours from other villages related to the figure of Municipal Natural Sites participated.
This conference session, entitled “Parajes Naturales Municipales. ¿Una herramienta para la conservación medioambiental?” (Municipal Natural Sites. A tool for environmental conservation?), has been organized by the Office of the Vice-Principal for Territorial Projection from the University of Valencia in collaboration with IMELSA and the University’s Botanic Garden. The Univeristy’s Vice-Principal, Jorge Hermosilla, the Botanic Garden’s director Isabel Mateu and Salvador Deusa, IMELSA’s head for the Evaluation and Planning section inaugurated the encounter.
The congress started with Jaime Güemes’ talk (curator at the Botanic Garden) who explained the figure of natural sites in a context of protected natural spaces in Valencia. The Municipal Natural Sites are built in areas of one or various municipalities which present environmental or cultural values of local interest and must promote the conservation and improvement of its natural and cultural values, contribute to the municipality’s sustainable development or a proper use of the environment.
As stated by Jaime Güemes, the difference with the rest of protected natural sites is that, both the initiative for its declaration as a Protected Natural Site and its latter management, corresponds to the involved councils; due to this reason, it is very important for the local authorities to promote management values.
The second talk was done by Isabel Moya, technician of the Environmental Service of the Valencian Government, who insisted on the Government’s impulse of Municipal Natural Sites and explained the necessity to promote them and put them to real value as they are a great opportunity for local development. Apart from raising awareness among the population on a respectable enjoyment of nature, it is necessary to propel an economic development through activities linked to its exploitation (tourism, gastronomy, education, etc.), always managed in a sustainable way.
These sites are very close to the citizens, hence, social, economic or cultural issues may arise in its management as they directly affect people and their activities. The congress ended with a round table moderated by Jorge Hermosilla (Vice-Principal) in which several teachers debated on the tensions, possibilities and limitations of the protecting figures for Municipal Natural Sites. Teachers from the University of Valencia that participated at the round table are: Salvador del Saz Salazar (Dept. Structural Economics), Beatriz Santamarina Campos (Dept. Sociology and Social Anthropology), Juan Salvador Monrós González (Dept. Microbiology and Ecology).
The congress concluded with a debate between the public and the members of the round table. The assistants, among which there were citizen associations, technicians and municipal representatives who were invited to the congress, interchanged opinions and experiences with the teachers, researchers and Government’s technicians in order to improve the future of the Municipal Natural Sites and promote a sustainable impulse.
Last update: 18 de september de 2014 13:14.
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