The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, along with the vice-president María Jesús Tovar and the insular councilor for the Environment, Samuel Martín, received a group of students from the Adapted Basic Vocational Training Cycle (PFPA) in Auxiliary Activities in Nurseries, Gardens, and Gardening Centers at IES Teguise this Thursday at the Presidency headquarters.
During the meeting, which was also attended by some of the Institute's teaching staff, Betancort publicly acknowledged the **environmental commitment of these students**, who in recent years have done outstanding work on the reforestation project of the Famara peaks, promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands and recently awarded the national prize "Europa se siente" (Europe Feels), in the category *Europa se siente verde* (Europe Feels Green)."These young people are an example of effort, perseverance, and love for our land," the president highlighted. "Their contribution to the recovery of the upper areas of Famara not only helps restore an emblematic natural space but also demonstrates that vocational training can be a tool for inclusion and public service," added Betancort, who extended his congratulations to the center's teaching staff.
The students in the Adapted Training program at IES Teguise, who have disability certificates of 33% or higher, have planted more than a thousand specimens of native Canarian flora during this time, including guaydiles, among other species. The plantings are protected with fencing to prevent damage from herbivory and ensure their development
Furthermore, at the educational center itself, they maintain a garden of Canary Islands plants with traceability and georeferencing, where they produce, care for, and collect seeds, allowing them to understand the entire life cycle of the species and their practical application in environmental restoration work.
Betancort recalled that "he, as a public manager, maintains close collaboration with IES Teguise for years, and that the work of the students in this program has continued in projects such as Salvar La Geria and other island initiatives focused on conservation and landscape."
Employability and circular economy
For his part, counselor Samuel Martín has highlighted lines of action that the Institution defends in environmental matters, such as **inclusive education, effective employability, circular economy, or responsible sustainability**, concepts that fit perfectly into specific educational projects"We will continue to count on them because their work represents inclusion and a greener Lanzarote, committed to its biodiversity," stressed Martín, who recalled how the island Corporation is also preparing a major environmental intervention in the Famara peaks, budgeted at almost one million euros from FDCAN funds - managed through the project coordination and planning unit headed by María Jesús Tovar - and deployed through the Environment Department.In addition to the well-deserved congratulations, the students received a gift from the Cabildo de Lanzarote during the visit. Betancort also received some presents from the young people, which he appreciated
