To train the children of Lanzarote in natural and cultural values that allow them to understand the reality of Lanzarote as a Biosphere Reserve, is the objective of the educational program launched by the Association for Rural Development of Lanzarote Aderlan.
For the General Director of Educational Promotion, Rafael González, who participated in the presentation of the program, it is necessary "to develop in children the awareness of the reality of the island as a Biosphere Reserve and to form the Canarian identity in them".
The program is already being taught in 28 schools in the municipalities of the island and reaches 1500 schoolchildren, who have fun while learning about seven areas of culture and nature of Lanzarote, as a Biosphere Reserve, location and physical characteristics of the island, biodiversity, water culture, traditional architecture, customs and traditions.
The children learn about the traditional buildings of the island, its particular flora and fauna or its gastronomy through recreational activities such as environmental education workshops, routes through Lanzarote and the use of an environmental education notebook, which is still in development.
Once the children have assimilated the importance of the environment around them, it will be easier to achieve a sustainable development of the island. The project involves students, teachers and parents' associations and is co-financed by the General Directorate of Educational Promotion and the Social Work of the Caja de Canarias.