🌿 To commemorate World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on February 2nd, the University of Valencia organized a significant conference on February 7th at the Law Faculty. The event, titled “Conservation of Valencian Coastal Wetlands: Governance and Citizen Participation,” was open to the public, including faculty students, and aimed to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and the challenges they face.
👋 The conference began with welcoming and encouraging words from Bernabé Aldeguer, setting a resilience tone for the event.
📜 This was followed by a presentation on the BlueGreen Governance project by Gianluca Ferraro, which focuses on sustainable management and conservation of coastal wetlands. Irene Luján then pointed the Valencian case study within the project, providing a localized coastal wetlands perspective on the issues.
🌊 An insightful talk on the evolution of the Devesa de l’Albufera by Amelia Quintana highlighted the historical changes and current state of this vital ecosystem, emphasizing the need for continued conservation efforts.
💬 The highlight of the event was a round table discussion featuring various experts on coastal wetlands, primarily from civil society organizations. The panel included representatives from Acció Ecologista Agró, Seo-BirdLife, the Oceanogràfic Foundation, Global Nature, the Environmental Education Center of the Valencian Community (CEACV), and Amics dels Aiguamolls del Sud d’Alacant (AHSA). Moderated by Irene Luján, the discussion delved into the current challenges facing these ecosystems, such as climate change, pollution, and urban development.
🌱 The experts underscored the importance of community involvement and effective governance in the conservation of wetlands. They shared insights on successful initiatives and strategies that have been implemented to protect these areas and discussed how citizens can play a crucial role in these efforts. The round table provided a platform for exchanging ideas and fostering collaboration among different stakeholders.
❓ The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the experts and gain a deeper understanding of the issues discussed. The University of Valencia’s commitment to environmental conservation and public engagement was evident throughout the conference, making it a resounding success.
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this event! 🌍
Written by Irene Lujan Climent from University of Valencia
