The Balcony Balconies And Gardens Network is promoted and managed by the SEO/Birdlife organization in collaboration with the Girona City Council, within the framework of the Gironat project.
He Project has the support of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the demographic (Miteco) in the context of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience (PRTR) plan, financed by the European Union.
Through the network of balconies, obtain terraces and biodiverse gardens participants, ideas and plants to convert their outdoor spaces that are not only beautiful, But also encourage the reinforcement of biodiversity.
Biodiversity Balkon in Girona
The Gironat project, which Girona is trying to transform into a greener, resilient and healthy city through urban renaturing, promotes the establishment of 500 balconies for the biodiversity of GironaWithin the framework of the ‘neighborhood secrets’ of the Burger Yincana who wants to appreciate urban natural heritage.
The Yincana organized by the environment NGO, in collaboration with the city of Girona, started last April. This activity has “Seven characters, those demigods are with forces related to nature. Some can communicate with birds, others know the benefits of wild plants, in addition to other skills.
Each of these demigods proposes challenges that invite participants Discover, connect and trade In favor of nature, tackling different issues with regard to their powers, “explains Júlia Moya, technology of the SEO/Birdlife Environmental Education Program.
Among these characters, made for the occasion, Carme is. “He has the gift of maintaining the most beautiful balcony in Girona and helps us promote Balconadas’s action through biodiversity And make sure that at least 500 neighbors brought indigenous flora to promote biodiversity to them balconies ”, Moya points out.
To do this, they have organized ‘Buurtgeheimen’ since the start of the Yincana near a dozen workshops in various social centers in the city, in which more than fifty people have participated. SOCILY, A practical guide that is available online has been developed as advice on which plants there are and the maintenance they needAll this with a clear and visual language, so that it is understandable for all target groups.
Gerund’s participation in the Yincana
‘Secrets Veincals’ arises as a result of a hackatón of ideas to improve the quality of life of the young people of the to be to be to be the establishment of a Natura Yincana suggested promoting the knowledge and awareness of the almost natural environment. Although it initially started in this neighborhood, the initiative has spread to the rest of the city sectors.
To participate in the Yincana, you only have to download the Go Zero Waste application on the mobile phone, select the “Secrets Veinals” campaign. Next to Create a balcony for planting indigenous plants for biodiversity, other proposed challenges are to train the naturalistic look Through the search for images of nature on the walls.
Neighborhood posters or signs; Search wild plants, identify the birds that inhabit the city, walk to one of the Renaturalized Balsas of the City, or discover stories about the neighborhoods that are linked to their natural heritage Like the “Liar Encina” or the Barca bridge. Citizens are also encouraged to take care of their environment by collecting waste from the natural spaces of the city or increasing their knowledge by consulting books about nature in the nearest library.
The challenges conquered
Until now, the initiative of the terraces and balconies has been well received among citizens. “Secrets Veinals” has exceeded 200 participants. In addition, Among everything, more than 1,200 challenges have already been surpassed, a figure that shows us that the dedication to nature is very topical“, Says Martí Morató, CEO of Go Zero Waste.” We see that the community is very motivated, involved and want to learn and improve their habits. This enthusiasm encourages us to keep working to grow this campaign and to offer new resources and challenges that help make the change in the direction of a more sustainable future, “he adds.
Next to Learn to know and recognize the nature of the city, participants will be eligible for countless prices that will be seduced in different parties. The first was held among all people who collected more than 1,000 points before 30 April.
The following draws will be made among all those people with 8,000 points before 15 June. Finally, All people who succeed in overcoming all the challenges and reach 10,000 points At the end of June, when this initiative is expected to end, they will enter the lottery to obtain a 50 euros and a kit to make a nest box.
Nature in cities
SEO/Birdlife Reclama well -planned cities that should not only be habitable for people, but also for nature. Some of the necessary measures, as collected by the NGO document Manual 100 measures for the preservation of biodiversity in urban environmentsare the presence of More green areas and urban ecological corridors prefer connectivity between natural spaces; Promote green infrastructureSuch as landscaped roofs and vegetable features that offer refuge and food to urban birds.
Other actions that have been lifted next to planting on the balconies are Design biodiversity Friendly buildingsthe inclusion of measures such as the installation of nest boxes and the maintenance of gaps in rehabilitation; Reduce the use of pesticides in parks and gardens To protect the insects on which the sparrows depend; And Promote Sustainable Mobility To reduce air pollution.