- This edition, marking the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Madrevieja Environmental Station, saw an increase in the number of participating centers
- As part of the celebration, Fundación Cepsa unveiled a new early fire detection system, adding an extra barrier of protection for La Laguna Primera de Palos
This 2024 edition of educational program, marking the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Madrevieja Environmental Station, saw an increase in the number of participating centers from 10 to 14. A total of 584 sixth-grade students from Campo de Gibraltar attended these activities.
In Andalusia, a combined effort between Fundación Cepsa and local and regional authorities led to 1070 students participating in environmental awareness sessions, spanning the two protected areas.
During the events in Huelva, Fundación Cepsa, in collaboration with Vodafone, introduced a new early fire detection system. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, this system adds an extra layer of protection for La Laguna Primera de Palos.
World Wetlands Day has been held on February 2 since 1977 in commemoration of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar (Iran). This was the first treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. First Cepsa and later Fundación Cepsa, have played a part in this celebration for the last nine years, running an environmental education program for children from schools in Campo de Gibraltar. Pupils participate in fun, educational workshops to learn about the importance of this type of natural spaces and the Madrevieja Environmental Station; the children are also invited to take part in a competition by submitting their drawings and photographs of the surroundings.
The Sagrado Corazón School of Puente Mayorga (San Roque) was the first to participate in these sessions, which this year took place under the theme Interconnected Life: Wetlands and People, aiming to raise awareness about the significance of valuing and preserving these natural habitats. The Puertoblanco School (Algeciras) closed out this edition of the Fundación Cepsa's Wetlands Conference.
Estrella Blanco, head of Fundación Cepsa in Campo de Gibraltar, said: “Thanks to this program the children have learned firsthand what a wetland is and why conserving them is important. And the Madrevieja Environmental Station is a space rich in biodiversity, refuge for birds, amphibians and mammals in the Campo de Gibraltar. We all have to work together to preserve and promote the natural spaces in our region.”
Since 2014, over 4,300 students from schools across the region have been given the chance to participate in educational activities held at the Madrevieja Environmental Station as part of these environmental workshops.
Madrevieja Environmental Station
In 2009, Cepsa decided to recover and restore this space as part of its policy on biodiversity, sustainability, commitment and respect for the environment, so as to promote nature research and also serve as a space for environmental education which is open to the public. Over ten years after the project started, it continues to grow in importance. It is now led by Fundación Cepsa and is the first of its kind in the province of Cádiz. The richness and diversity of its habitats have made the Madrevieja Environmental Station a true sanctuary for around 130 cataloged species of birds and 21 mammals.
