The City Council of Arrecife has congratulated the Santa María de los Volcanes – Nazaret school for the execution of its educational project “Guardians of the Charco: Valonia as a Motor of Sustainability”.
The Councilor for Beaches and Environment, Davinia Déniz, participated this Wednesday in the presentation, in the school classrooms- coinciding with World Earth Day - in the presentation of this environmental project linked with one of the species of Charco del San Ginés.
"An initiative that demonstrates that education goes far beyond the classroom," Davinia Déniz has recalled, "where the students become true protagonists, investigating, learning and, above all, committing to their environment."
The students of this educational center in Arrecife study the “Valonia as a natural filter and its involvement in the care of Charco de San Ginés, a clear example of how new generations come with awareness, responsibility, and a desire to transform their city”.
From the Department of Environment it is reminded that the future is built today, and that when education and environmental commitment go hand in hand, change is possible and allows sowing in our young people such necessary values for a more sustainable Arrecife and careful of its environment.
During the current term, under the Municipal Government led by mayor Yonathan de León, an initiative has been promoted with the educational centers of Arrecife to educate schoolchildren and citizens about the importance of this marine ecosystem, often called "living laboratory" or "Guardians of the Charco".
Furthermore, during the visit of the Councillor for Environment to the Santa María de los Volcanes- Nazaret school, the recognition, from the Comisión Europea, to this educational center in Arrecife with the seal that certifies its adherence to the Red de Escuelas Azules Europeas (Network of European Blue Schools) for the promotion of project-based learning (ABP) to raise awareness among students about marine protection, where the Charco de San Ginés and Valonia has been their educational project,
The value of the Valonia in the Charco de San Ginés
The Valonia del Charco de San Ginés (Valonia aegagropila) is endemic to Charco de San Ginés and has a characteristic shape of "balls" or green spheres. These bentopleustophytic algae proliferate in spring, playing a key role in the purification and biodiversity of the Charco de San Ginés ecosystem.
During the development of these environmental activities, promoted by the City Council from the Department of Environment, guided visits and workshops have been carried out, known as "Mundo Valonia", where participants have collected samples in the Charco de San Ginés to observe them with magnifying glasses and understand their ecological value. The municipal project has involved educational centers in Arrecife and has had the support of environmental educators.