Panel about the health status of the Fluvià River

Last Friday, September 27th, Mireia Jiménez (geological engineer, hydrogeologist, and part of the CST technical team) moderated the panel “The Health Status of the Fluvià River from a Biodiversity Perspective,” which was held at Can Trona (La Vall d’en Bas) at 10 a.m.

The invited speakers were:

• Mita Castanyer, councilor for the environment and local development at the Vall d’en Bas City Council.

• Emili Bassols, biologist from the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park.

• Albert Burgas, biologist from the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park.

• Josep Maria Mallarach, geologist and environmental consultant.

The panel began with an introduction by Mireia Jiménez, highlighting the importance of linking humanity to nature and understanding biodiversity as a network of relationships that allows for the coexistence of living beings that form the planet.

Then, in conversation with Mita Castanyer, topics such as the importance of the administration's role in creating meaningful spaces around rivers were discussed, and the social and geographical context of the Fluvià River was presented from both an expert and personal perspective.

Following this, with Emili Bassols and Albert Burgas, the concept of biodiversity and what is understood as the health of a river were explored. Focusing on the Fluvià, they addressed the challenges and achievements the river presents in this regard, as well as society's strengths and weaknesses in taking responsibility and undertaking care and stewardship tasks towards this watercourse.

Subsequently, after the intervention of Mita Castanyer and Joan Maria Mallarach concerning these latest issues, the discussion continued with Mallarach to understand the quality of the links between the Fluvià River and the people living nearby.

The session ended with a change of setting, allowing both the speakers and attendees to engage in a conversation and dialogue in a circle format, breaking away from the auditorium structure. This final part was accompanied by a breakfast.

You can view the entire session on this YouTube channel.

This was the first activity of the second edition of the IltirHub program, led by Balkar.Earth, a spin-off of Resilience.Earth. The program aims to accelerate a total of 12 social projects that have the Fluvià River as the focus of their activities. In total, there will be six training and co-creation sessions, led by experts in social innovation, regenerative design, and strategic planning, taking place between September and December 2024. In parallel, a mentoring service will be offered, in which Mireia will also participate as a mentor. The program will conclude with the presentation of the developed projects in a session open to the general public on December 13th, in Olot. The program is free and will be held in person across La Garrotxa, Pla de l’Estany, and Alt Empordà.