Recovery of the historical distribution for Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Spain and Portugal. (LIFE10NAT/ES/570)
Events
José Fiscal thanks the winners of the Andalucía Environment Award for their commitment to defend nature
2017-06-20
The Regional Government of Andalusia distinguished scientists, researchers, companies, journalists and associations for their role in protecting the environment
Yesterday, the Minister of Environment and Territorial Planning, José Fiscal, held the twenty-first edition of the Andalusian Environment Awards. José Fiscal thanked the work carried out by associations, companies, institutions and people in the defence of nature and promotion of environmental values. Fiscal pointed out that they are united in their commitment, both individually and collectively, to generate changes that have an impact on the natural world around us.
On this note, José Fiscal stated that Regional Government of Andalusia will continue to contribute with policies and concrete actions aimed at improving the environment; it will continue to work to ensure that the Earth is a worthy place for future generations to inherit; and that it should be understood that this inheritance is not an act of possession or ownership, but an exercise in shared existence with the rest of mankind and all living beings.
Before the event began, the room held a minute of silence to mourn the fatal victims of the recent fires in Portugal. Minister José Fiscal mentioned how Andalusians feel desolated by the tragedy taking place in the neighbouring country, and that Andalusia, through Infoca, has made itself available to the Portuguese Government to collaborate in extinguishing the fires.
These annual awards are comprised of six categories: company and environment, environmental communication, engagement and environmental education, urban environment and climate change, Andalusian natural values, and a 'Cinta Castillo' special award for professional careers. This edition’s awards went to the company Aguas Danone - Aguas de Lanjarón; the journalist Ricardo Gamaza; the Asociación Corraleros y Pescadores a Pie 'Corrales de pesca de Rota'; the Peal de Becerro City Council (Jaén); the LIFE European program; the forester and researcher José Luis González Rebollar; and the biologist, and director of the various LIFE Iberian lynx projects, Miguel Ángel Simón Mata.
This time, the company and environment award went to Aguas Danone - Aguas de Lanjarón. The company is responsible for such projects as Reconecta, a participatory platform aimed at promoting ideas for nature preservation and reconnecting people with it; and Renueva, a project that allows for the recycling and recovery of previously used PET, while raising awareness and educating society about environmental responsibility. Also noteworthy is the company’s commitment to natural parks, financially supporting the creation and development of projects to protect water resources.
In the environmental communication category, the award went to journalist Ricardo Gamaza. Specialized in environmental journalism, and winner of several environmental communication awards, Gamaza regularly publishes an ecology column in El Correo de Andalucía and collaborates with specialized publications (Quercus, BioAndalucía or El Parque) and national digital media (Huffington Post, Público newspaper, etc.).
The engagement and environmental education award was given to Asociación Corraleros y Pescadores a Pie 'Corrales de pesca de Rota' (Cádiz) for their efforts in the conservation, protection, dissemination and raising awareness of such an important area as the Natural Monument of Corrales de Rota.
In the urban environment and climate change category, the jury awarded the Peal de Becerro City Council (Jaén) for its investment in environmental preservation. Among its achievements, some stand out as the implementation of energy efficiency plans and hosting several public awareness campaigns.
Additionally, in the Andalusian natural values category, the award was given to the European Union's LIFE program, a 25 year-old initiative which aims to contribute, through project funding, to the implementation, revision and development of European environmental policy and legislation. Among the Andalusian LIFE projects, the one for the reintroduction of the Iberian lynx stands out, which has recently been distinguished as the best ever in the Nature category.
Lastly, this edition’s 'Cinta Castillo' special award for professional careers was attributed to José Luis González Rebollar (Granada) and Miguel Ángel Simón Mata (Jaén). Forester González Rebollar has worked in various areas of forestry research for 45 years. A senior scientist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), he is credited with an extensive research career, mainly in Andalusia, and for promoting flora and vegetation, Mediterranean silvopastoral systems and pastoralism, preventive silviculture, the ecological role of livestock and its planned use in protected areas. His work made it possible for more than 200 shepherds to protect forest areas through the Andalusian Network of Fire-preventing Grazing Areas (RAPCA - Red de Áreas Pasto Cortafuegos de Andalucía).
On the other hand, biologist Miguel Angel Simón Mata’s work has been associated with the environment since his beginnings as technical manager at the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park; director of the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park; head of Environmental Management at the Jaén Territorial Delegation; director of the Bearded Vulture Reintroduction Plan, and of the various LIFE projects pertaining to the Iberian lynx – which made it possible for the Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to lower the specie’s threat category.
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