Nature fairs are a valuable meeting point for the regions hosting them, as these events connect nature lovers with experts, professionals, and local businesses and organisations with the capacity to showcase the area at its best. Rewilding Spain has been actively involved this June in two events that highlight the natural and cultural heritage of the Iberian Highlands: Naturtajo and Serranía Rural Fair.
The Naturtajo Nature Observation Tourism Fair was held in Mazarete (Guadalajara province), where it featured a programme compealing more than fifty activities, including talks, practical workshops, activities on the field, round tables, book signings and activities specifically targeting families and children. The fair also featured an exhibition space with stands from around twenty local producers, companies and organisations.
The talks on different topics presented by nature communicators as Javier Peña, Ricardo Moure and Odile Rodríguez de la Fuente, as well as by the young naturalist Elvia La Rastreadora and the astrophysicist Pedro García Lario, filled the main hall of the fair. Also in great demand were the bird drawing workshop by illustrator Nacho Sevilla, the Bird Walk organised by Alto Tajo Natural Park, the forest bath by Selvans, the astronomical observations by Estrella Errante and Cosmo Guada, and the sensorias experience organised by Sentir el Alto Tajo.
In addition, children had the opportunity to get closer to nature with a storytelling organised by El Observario; playing games with of Locusfera, pen-painting with Tubkala, observing life through a microscope with Amphibia Kids, and the workshop about footprints and wildlife traces organised by Micorriza.
In this second edition, Naturtajo has taken a new step to promote nature tourism in the Iberian Highlands, so that this activity contributes to the socio-economic revitalisation of the landscape. The event was organised by Rewilding Spain and AECOMATS, in partnership with the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, the Alto Tajo Natural Park and the support from Europarc Spain and Nuestros Espacios Protegidos.
In Tragacete (province of Cuenca), the IV Serranía Rural Fair focused on some of the traditional working tasks around timber that have been traditional trades in the Serranía de Cuenca. Along with exhibitions of wood cutting, hauling and peeling, visitors to the fair enjoyed a local craft market and a full programme of activities that included several field trips and conferences.
The scavenger birds watching workshop and the talk by the young naturalist Elvia La Rastreadora also aroused the interest of many visitors.
All in all, the programme as a whole was an example of how nature and tradition can go hand in hand in the Iberian Highlands.
Related news
- Naturtajo fair to promote nature tourism in the Iberian Highlands next June 13-15
- Nature and tradition go hand in hand at the 4th Serrania Rural Fair in Tragacete
