The initiative for the management of environmental education activities of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, executed by Gesplan, achieves the participation of more than 5.339 people
The Cabildo de Gran Canaria, through the environmental education activities management and coordination service implemented by Gesplan, has carried out more than 291 actions with the 'Educa Ecoisla' project, which have reached the participation of more than 5.339 people in twelve months, mostly students from various schools on the island.
Educa EcoIsla is a project for managing environmental education activities on the island of Gran Canaria, which was born in 2023, for which an action plan has been drawn up with different objectives to be implemented until 2025. The idea of this project is to reorganize the environmental education activities of the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Knowledge, in order to start a new stage in the educational field related to the environment.
The Councillor for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Knowledge, Raúl García Brink, stressed that “Educa Ecoisla promotes environmental education from the grassroots, strengthening the values of respect, solidarity and commitment to nature that define us as Gran Canarians. It is a clear example of the Cabildo's commitment to foster greater environmental awareness and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of our island."
Within the framework of the actions aimed at promoting environmental knowledge and awareness, various activities have been developed adapted to different segments of the population. In this regard, the participation of 4.076 students from various schools on the island, both primary and secondary, stands out, with a total of 220 actions being carried out in one year.
In addition, groups of companies, associations and groups of different nature have been involved; the working students of the Program of Training in Alternation with Employment (PFAE), specialized in different subjects, aimed at unemployed people to obtain a training or professional certificate; and the population of Gran Canaria in general.
Environmental education through dynamic and innovative activities
The project has developed various activities to promote environmental education, combining classroom sessions, field trips, online training and participation in events and fairs. These initiatives have made it possible to bring knowledge about the environment closer in a dynamic and interactive way, adapting to different audiences and ages.
Classroom sessions included workshops designed to encourage student participation through talks, digital material, stories and games, making learning more enjoyable and effective. At the same time, field trips brought knowledge to the natural environment, where participants learned to interpret the landscape and biodiversity through observation and participatory dynamics.
Online training has also been provided, in which various topics have been addressed through digital presentations, leaving space for interaction and resolution of doubts. Likewise, at municipal fairs and events, the Educa Ecoisla tent has offered educational activities and attractive educational materials, such as the bioclimatic floors table, colouring games and puzzles, with the aim of raising awareness in a fun way about environmental conservation.
To reinforce these actions, innovative educational materials have been designed and produced to facilitate learning. These include interactive games such as EDUCA Memory , The Ovenbird's Nest , and Spot the Differences , which encourage observation and knowledge of biodiversity. Infographics on the vegetation zones and birds of Gran Canaria have also been created, along with educational worksheets such as GEO-tactile for studying geology, and coloring materials for children.
In addition, the project has incorporated educational tools such as a 3D model of Gran Canaria to understand its topography, an interactive table of bioclimatic floors and waste classification games that promote good environmental practices.
In the educational field, the project has been present in different spaces through a travelling stand, information leaflets and a species guide. Educational videos have also been produced with a dynamic and humorous approach, designed to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the importance of adopting sustainable habits in everyday life.
Regarding participation in the programme, the capital city has been the most frequent when it comes to carrying out activities, reaching a total of 100 actions, followed by Telde, Santa María de Guía and Teror. Most of the municipalities have participated in some way in the project, through activities with schools, occasional outings or fairs, with the exception of Gáldar, Valleseco, Artenara and Tejeda.
The Educa Ecoisla project, with a total budget of 441.242,58 euros, plans a total of 500 activities for the years 2024-2025.
