The Rewilding Educa education programme combined field visits and in-class activities about the role of tauros and other large herbivores in ecosystem restoration. After a successful first edition in Alto Tajo and Sierra de Albarracín areas, a new programme will be implemented in 2025 and will also reach schools in the Serranía de Cuenca region.
To raise awareness among the students, Rewilding Educa organised field trips to see the herds of tauros in their natural habitat, as well as in-class workshops in which these animals and the ecosystem were recreated using innovative technological tools. All the participating schools also had the opportunity to take part in a closing event.
Tauro was the starring species of the programme. This is a breed of cattle that combines characteristics of the extinct aurochs, the wild cows that lived throughout Europe until their extinction in the 17th century and from which today’s domestic cattle are descended. The Iberian Highlands landscape is the privileged area where the first herds of tauros that arrived in Spain now live. One of them is located in Frías de Albarracín (Teruel province) and the other one in in Mazarete (Guadalajara province). Thanks to the programme, the youngest inhabitants of these territories had the opportunity to get to know them on the ground.
Field visits were carried out in partnership with Micorriza Association, a local organisation that brings together young professionals from the landscape and works for the conservation of its natural and cultural heritage. Micorriza technicians led the students on the field trips and created dynamic activities that helped children understand processes such as wildfires, food chains and the importance of strengthening biodiversity.
As for the in-classroom workshops, the students were trained in coding skills and technology to help them recreate the habitat and behaviour of the tauros. With these newly learnt skills, the children were able to operate unique tauros robots built with Lego pieces. “It was really interesting. The students got to know robotics and had a lot of fun. In addition, they have become even more aware of the importance of wildlife and taking care of nature”, stated one of the teachers of Sierra Ministra local school.
The closing event was held in Molina de Aragón, the major city in the area, and gathered more than 300 students and teachers.
After this successful first edition of Rewilding Educa programme, Rewilding Spain is already working in the next one. As announced by Rewilding Spain general manager, Mara Zamora, in 2025 the programme will no be only available in Alto Tajo and Sierra de Albarracín areas, but will extend to Serranía de Cuenca region. Local partners will again be involved in the development of the field visits. Micorriza Association will repeat in Alto Tajo region and Parque de Fauna La Maleza and Stipa & Azeral will join to lead these visits in Sierra de Albarracín and Serranía de Cuenca areas, respectively.
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