Strengthening Environmental Education in Natural Areas

The Balearic Islands are home to important protected natural areas that face a high level of pressure from tourism year after year. The network of parks, Natura 2000 areas and interpretation centres faces the challenge of ensuring its educational activities convey the ecological importance of these sites. In this context, environmental education serves as a strategic tool to connect locals and visitors with the environment.

The new scheme foresees the recruitment of 19 environmental educators and a coordinator to expand the training capacity of major sites of ecological interest. They will work in centres such as l'Aula de la Mar (Mallorca) and Es Amunts (Ibiza), as well as in parks such as Mondragó, Ses Salines and S'Albufera. This measure seeks to improve the understanding of the water cycle, from wetlands to marine ecosystems, underlining its link to sustainability.

The work will emphasise issues such as the impact of climate change, groundwater conservation and forest fire prevention. Modern threats such as microplastics and global warming will also be addressed. Each space will adapt its content to its characteristics with a combination of informational activities, training and guided tours.

Beyond reinforcing tourism in the high season, the scheme includes activities during the low season, in order to reduce seasonality in tourism for environmental jobs. With a total investment of €2.9 million between 2025 and 2027, this action responds to a growing demand for information and awareness-raising in natural areas, where education is key to preserving ecosystems across the archipelago.