In recent days, students and teaching staff from the Forestry Foremen School of Lourizán have been carrying out a training stay in the Cíes Islands, within the framework of LIFE INSULAR in collaboration with the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia.
The coexistence between students and Park staff allowed a direct exchange of knowledge, experiences, and working methodologies. During the stay, students took part in practical conservation tasks aimed at controlling invasive alien species, particularly species of the genus Acacia, on which the students were able to develop a protocol for their removal using minimally aggressive methods that are respectful of the island ecosystem. Additionally, they also participated in habitat restoration and in improving forest and environmental management, preparing an area for reforestation with native species in zones already free of exotic species.
Furthermore, they learned first-hand about the results of the actions carried out within the LIFE INSULAR project, the main driver of habitat recovery in the Atlantic islands. The visit made it possible to understand the real impact of these interventions, to appreciate the technical and human effort they require, and to analyze their effectiveness in the medium and long term, while also strengthening the students’ training and promoting a practical, critical, and committed approach to the conservation of natural heritage.
