The local authorities that encompass national parks within their borders bear a dual responsibility: to safeguard these areas while simultaneously addressing the needs of their communities. Thus, it is crucial that they receive adequate backing, particularly financial support.
This challenge faced by municipalities was highlighted yesterday during the opening of the XVIII Conference of the Association of Municipalities with Territory in National Parks (Amuparna), held at the Telesforo Bravo Visitor Centre in The Orotava. The event saw attendance from its president, Ángel Pérez Rodríguez; the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Blanca Pérez; and the Councilor for the Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change, Luis Perera. They were accompanied by representatives from over 50 towns and cities across Spain that are home to a national park.
The aim of this gathering, which will also extend to Santiago del Teide in the coming days, is to exchange experiences and discuss the current and future challenges faced by those managing such precious territories. Additionally, this year they have a secondary goal, which is to provide support to the municipalities impacted by the wildfires that ravaged Tenerife last year. This “devastating” incident highlighted yet again the “vulnerability of our ecosystems and the urgent need for collaborative solutions that facilitate not only environmental recovery but also the socioeconomic enhancement of these areas,” stated Ángel Pérez.
Simultaneously, the councillor underscored the “educational potential” of Teide National Park, particularly since its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. He emphasized the commitment of the City Council, which established the Municipal Environmental Education Centre in the 1990s, marking it as the first in the Canary Islands. This centre actively runs programmes aimed at raising awareness among schoolchildren regarding environmental conservation, organises research competitions, and is equipped with “very effective” scientific communication resources like the Telesforo Bravo Visitor Centre.
Blanca Pérez emphasised the significance of municipal governance in hosting a national park, especially considering that many are small towns tasked with providing services that “are not adequately compensated.” She pointed out that having financial resources “is vital for them to undertake the conservation of these areas” and that, “just as the benefits of having a park extend across the entire island or province,” the responsibility to maintain the needs and welfare of their residents should also be shared.
