GREEN CROSS SPAIN BRINGS TOGETHER VOLUNTEERS TO CLEAN UP THE HENARES RIVER

Green Cross Spain brings together volunteers to clean up the Henares River

by

During October, November and December more than 300 volunteers will come together to conduct water quality analysis and clean up the bank of the Henares River, a river close to Madrid. In its second year, the Henares Basin Project seeks to improve the environmental quality of the river.

Volunteers take samples of the Henares River

Various physical, chemical and biological analyses of the water from Henares River are will be completed with the results to be included in a 2010 global study of the water quality. Furthermore, cleaning waste material in the Henares basin will also be organized in all the towns. In addition to increasing the environmental quality of the river, the volunteers received information and training about essential environmental values, the impacts on the ecosystem and restoration projects.

The project is an initiative of the Environmental Science Association (Asociación de Ciencias Ambientales, ACA) in collaboration with Green Cross Spain. In addition, the Spanish Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs, through its Rivers Volunteering Project, subsidizes the project. The mission of the Henares Bain Project is to bring the values of watercourses closer to the people who live around the river.
Group of volunteers cleaning up the Henares River

For its part, GC Spain dedicates special attention to river environments as part of its Biodiversity and Territory programme. Therefore, GC Spain promotes environmental volunteer activities in rivers in order to restore water reservoirs in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs initiative.

Started in 2008 with the participation of more than 100 volunteers, this year more than 300 volunteers will participate as well as the local town councils of Alcala de Henares, Azuqueca de Henares, Guadalajara, Jadraque, San Fernando de Henares, Sigüenza y Torrejón de Ardoz. The University of Alcala, the Juan Carlos I Real Botanical Garden and the Guadalajara Council are also supporters of the project.
The project also includes a photography award to reflect the different points of view of the river in an artistic way. For more information on the awards and the project, please visit the project website, contact Roberto Ruiz, Environmental Science Association or vist the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs website.

Leave a Comment