Last Thursday, February 13th, the project LIFE medCLIFFS coordinated by the Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB-CSIC) organized a presentation about invasive flora at the Octavi Viader i Margarit Municipal Library (Sant Feliu de Guíxols).

The presenters, Maria Guirado, Head of section of Environment and Forest Policy at the Diputació de Girona, and Edgard Mestre, LIFE medCLIFFS project technician from IBB-CSIC, exposed the general features of the project, the problem of invasive plant species, the first results obtained and how these evolved. Around 20 people attended the talk and there was high participation and feedback. They explained several cases and particular experiences regarding these plants in the area. The citizens showed great interest in learning more about invasive flora, how it is managed and what role they can take regarding preventive measures. During the act, several booklets of the Code of Conduct to avoid the use of invasive plant species were given out. These booklets, designed and produced as part of the project, aim to serve as a guide of good practices for all workers involved in the life plant sector. It includes several points and highlights the importance of actively informing about the regulatory law on invasive flora, staying aware of what is bought and sold and, especially, opting for alternatives more respectful to the environment prioritizing autochthonous species.

The relevant pinnacle of the night was the takeaway that all effort and economic costs needed to invest in management and restoration are avoidable with effective prevention on time. Everyone can collaborate on ecosystem preservation, one only needs adequate information.

Text: Edgard Mestre
Photos: David Miret