Naturgy Foundation promotes environmental volunteering in Valencia to restore areas affected by the torrential rains
The power company foundation has implemented an action in Torrent, with around fifty volunteers participating, which has included the reforestation, conditioning and environmental restoration of affected areas.
As part of its ‘Joining Forces for Valencia’ programme, and in collaboration with the local entity ‘Natura y cultura’ and Belong To Sea, the Naturgy Foundation has carried out an environmental volunteering action in Torrent to contribute to the restoration of the areas damaged by the torrential rains.
The action focused on the Pedrera area, a space located next to the l’Horteta ravine, one of the watercourses that contributed the greatest volume of water to the Poyo ravine during the torrential rains. Damage caused by the flood was particularly severe as the ravine was literally washed away and areas of high ecological value were affected, including the habitat area of the native turtle, as well as the tourist, ecological and cultural route that crosses the site. In addition to being a popular recreational area, this setting plays a key environmental role as a run-off area where the presence of vegetation in the basin is essential to reduce water speed and mitigate the effects of flooding.
Around twenty specimens of species appropriate to the local ecosystem were planted in the intervention. They included small Mediterranean pine, with a mainly symbolic value in an area with low average tree cover. Specimens of holm oak, a key species due to its resistance, adaptation to the Mediterranean climate and capacity to favour the natural regeneration of the environment, were also introduced.
Around fifty volunteers, including locals, professionals from the energy company and their families, took part in this project in Torrent, which aimed to generate a positive impact on the areas involved by promoting a transforming experience on a social, emotional and environmental level.
Ester Sevilla, Director of Social and International Projects at the Naturgy Foundation, stated that “each tree we plant and each space we restore are much more than one-off actions: they are symbols of hope and resilience. With ‘Joining forces for Valencia’ we want to stand by the families and communities affected by the torrential rains, reaffirming our commitment to them”. “Our goal is to contribute to the restoration of damaged environments and, at the same time, to raise environmental awareness among our employees and their families. These events are an opportunity to join forces and generate a positive impact that will last over time,” said Sevilla.
According to Cristina Arenas, co-founder of Belong To Sea, “this initiative is of great importance for every citizen to do their bit to help the affected areas and, at the same time, to add forces and actions that promote environmental awareness and care for the planet. The entity expresses its gratitude to the Naturgy Foundation for making this initiative possible, which is essential to move towards more resilient and sustainable environments”.
An activity with a strong educational and participatory component
Yesterday’s event was the first of the six that the Naturgy Foundation plans to hold in different Valencian municipalities over the coming months. After Torrent, the power company foundation will take this family activity to Catarroja, Alfafar, Massanassa, Paiporta and Alborache.
Each day lasts one morning during which the participants carry out reforestation, conditioning and environmental restoration tasks in the affected areas. A training workshop on climate change is also given and spaces are created to share experiences and personal reflections related to the torrential rains. At the end, families are given an illustrated story specially created around this theme.
These activities have a strong educational and participatory component as they address the importance of vegetation in reducing runoff, teach how to plant and generate a space for reflection on forest management and flood prevention. The goal is also to connect people affected by the torrential rains with citizens who want to get involved, fostering a shared understanding of the challenges of climate change and how each action contributes to the solution.
The project relies on the collaboration of local councils in order to ensure actions of greater impact and value for each community. Through these reforestation and awareness-raising actions, the aim is to contribute to the recovery of biodiversity and to promote a closer link between people and their natural environment.
Joining Forces for Valencia
Naturgy Foundation undertakes the commitment already made by the power company after the torrential rains and a few weeks ago launched its ‘Joining forces for Valencia‘ programme, an action plan aimed at supporting the recovery of the areas affected by the severe floods.
This plan is in addition to the actions rolled out by Naturgy in the territory and proposes solutions that are based on the knowledge and experience developed by the Naturgy Foundation through its different lines of activity, as part of its goal of contributing to the construction of a resilient and sustainable society.
The proposed actions include measures that consider energy efficiency; the use of renewable energies; training to promote employability in the energy sector; support for the schools affected, involving young people, teachers and families in the process; and the preparation of studies with prestigious institutions in the Valencia Region to foster debate and influence aspects that merit particular analysis as a result of the emergency.
The ‘Joining forces for Valencia‘ plan is designed to act along four lines of work: Joining Forces for People, Joining Forces for Education, Joining Forces for Employment and Joining Forces for the Environment, which includes this environmental volunteering programme.
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