The initiative took place between May and October, combining practical workshops, nature excursions, and educational activities to introduce citizens to the knowledge of these organisms and their fundamental role in ecosystems. The activities were led by professionals specializing in biology, beekeeping, and environmental education.
The program included diverse proposals such as observing aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Serpis River, workshops on bees, guided walks to identify insects on the Via Verda, activities on earthworms and beneficial insects for social gardens, visits to the municipal beekeeping center and the educational hive at La Font Roja, nocturnal butterfly observations, and the construction of insect hotels. A round table discussion on pine processionary caterpillars was also held.
“"Understanding insects and other invertebrates is fundamental to comprehending how our ecosystems function and the importance of conserving them. Through these workshops, we have offered people of all ages the opportunity to learn directly from professionals, discover the biodiversity around us, and understand that its protection also depends on our daily actions."
“"Participatory Budgets have precisely this purpose: that residents can decide on actions that are then materialized and are useful for the entire population. This initiative is a good example of how citizen participation allows for the promotion of activities that spark interest, respond to people's concerns, and enrich the life of the city."
The workshops registered high demand, with waiting lists for most activities, necessitating the repetition of the most popular ones to accommodate more attendees. Each activity had an approximate capacity of 30 to 40 participants. The majority of attendees were families, but adults and teachers also participated, including individuals from Alicante.
As a result, the Department of Ecological Transition now has materials for future environmental education activities, including eight magnifying glasses, a two-drawer vermicomposter, and illustrated guides on insects. The overall evaluation was highly satisfactory, confirming the appeal of environmental outreach activities and citizen interest in better understanding Alcoy's biodiversity and natural environment.
