SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 22 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife has arranged the inaugural Island Fair of Environmental Volunteering, which will occur in the Plaza del Cristo in La Laguna next Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., featuring over a hundred participants.
This event has been facilitated by the La Laguna City Council and the Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies Area of the Cabildo, with contributions from the Environmental Participation and Volunteering Office, working in partnership with Tenerife Isla Solidaria.
Fifty organisations will showcase various activities, workshops, and informative actions at stands spread across the square. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore numerous volunteer initiatives, ranging from biodiversity conservation projects to sustainability awareness campaigns.
Blanca Pérez, the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, clarified that this fair is part of the celebrations commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Environmental Participation and Volunteering Office of Tenerife. “In 2024, the Cabildo aims to honour two decades of dedication to environmental conservation by organising multiple events that emphasise the significance of volunteering on the island,” she mentioned.
“This fair stands as a cornerstone of these celebrations,” Pérez remarked, emphasising that over these 20 years, the Office has been instrumental in creating and sustaining numerous conservation initiatives. “The event will demonstrate the Cabildo’s commitment to these activities and will further cement the role of environmental volunteering in the future,” she asserted.
Furthermore, the councillor pointed out that what distinguishes this fair is the series of supplementary activities scheduled for the preceding week, from October 21 to 27. “These strategically integrated activities will facilitate greater participation and enhance visibility for various themes related to both environmental and social volunteering,” Pérez noted, adding that “by extending the event beyond a single day, attendees will have the chance to delve into the significance of voluntary action, care for the natural environment, and social welfare.”
Pedro Millán, the insular director of Medio Natural, also accentuated the importance of this fair in the context of the anniversary of the Participation and Volunteering Office. As part of the commemorative initiatives, a diagnostic assessment has been initiated for developing the Environmental Participation and Volunteering Strategy for the Marine Coast of Tenerife. “This strategy represents a significant commitment aimed at promoting volunteerism for the conservation and restoration of the island’s marine ecosystems,” Millán stated.
Additionally, Millán elaborated that the selection of La Laguna as the venue for the fair is intentional, “as the municipality has a deep-rooted historical connection with the Volunteer Office and is acknowledged for its natural and cultural richness, establishing itself as a benchmark for conducting environmental volunteer activities, both in its natural areas and urban settings, reflecting the ongoing collaboration between the Cabildo and the City Council in promoting environmental initiatives.”
The insular director also underscored the ongoing partnership between the Participation Office and Tenerife Isla Solidaria, organisations that have collaboratively worked on pivotal projects, such as managing volunteering during the significant Arafo forest fire in 2023. “This type of collaboration not only highlights the essential role of volunteering during emergencies, but also strengthens their efforts in long-term environmental conservation and restoration. The fair, in this regard, will serve as a platform to showcase this collaboration and reinforce the connections between environmental and social volunteering,” Millán remarked.
Domingo Galván, the Councilor for the Environment of La Laguna, indicated that “the fair aims not only to raise awareness about the importance of volunteering but also to provide a networking platform that enables interaction between organisations and citizens, facilitating the exchange of ideas, experiences, and proposals”.
The mayor further recognised the crucial contributions of the participating entities, both public and private, “which will have a unique chance at the fair to share their knowledge and practices with the wider community.” Galván added that, “through these collaborations, it is anticipated that environmental and social initiatives will be strengthened and greater citizen engagement in voluntary projects and actions will be fostered, promoting the conservation of the natural environment and sustainable development.”
