Projects that protect the Balearic marine environment receive awards at the Medi Ambient Awards

Yesterday the Medi Ambient Awards ceremony was celebrated and organized by the Calvià Town Hall. The event, celebrated in the houses of the public Finca de Galatzó (Es Capdellà), had the objective of highlighting the environmental initiatives that are carried out in the municipality.

The Associació de Producció Agrària Ecològica de Mallorca (APAEMA) won 1st prize. APAEMA was awarded 4,000 euros for the project 'Estudio diagnóstico del sector agrario ecológico del municipio' (Diagnostic study of the ecological agricultural sector in the municipality). The objectives have been to carry out a diagnosis and promote a sustainable model, as well as to make proposals for agro-ecological revitalisation. 

The second prize of 3,000 euros was awarded to the project 'Environmental Monitoring of 3 beaches in Calvià'. This recognition highlights the promotion of student participation and the improvement of the coastal environment. This has involved the active participation of students from the three public high schools in the municipality, in collaboration with the Clean Boating Association. The project consists of monthly outings to three beaches in Calvià to study them. The jury highlighted the triple aspect of the project, as an educational action in science that promotes practical learning for the students; the environmental improvement of the surroundings, which contributes concretely to the conservation of the beaches of Calvià; and raising awareness of the environment and the problem of waste, which also raises awareness of waste management and the importance of preserving the environment.

The Societat d'Història Natural de les Balears was awarded a distinction valued at 2,000 euros for the study of the biodiversity of the project 'Study of the Terrestrial Invertebrate Endemisms of the Municipality of Calvià'. This award recognises its contribution to the evaluation and preservation of the natural heritage of the municipality. The project has consisted of an exhaustive study of the terrestrial invertebrate endemisms in Calvià, with the creation of a cartographic map. The research is based on the analysis of data, bibliography and field trips. The jury highlighted that the project is an "unpublished study in Calvià, carried out by researchers with a long trajectory, of great utility for future planning of the municipality and to make known a forgotten natural heritage".

The Protemar Association was also awarded the third prize of 2,000 euros for 'Cleaning and Actions in the Marine Environment and the Coast of Calvià'. This distinction recognises the association's extensive experience in environmental clean-ups and its impact on the preservation of the coast and the marine environment. Protemar's project has included several clean-ups in different spots such as Cala Figuera, Portals Vells, Santa Ponça, Cala Fornells, among others. The jury highlighted the wide diversity of actions, including underwater, beach, land and stream clean-ups, with volunteer involvement. They also highlighted Protemar's extensive track record in environmental initiatives, the continuity of the project, the focus on volunteers and the planning of clean-ups for 2024.

A special mention of €2,000 was awarded to the Red Cross initiative on 'Awareness and Environmental Monitoring of Portals Vells'. This second prize recognises the initiative for the preservation of Portals Vells and environmental awareness. The recognition highlights the environmental importance, which involves surveillance with kayaks to control illegal anchorages on Posidonia, as well as land surveillance to inform about the environmental regulations of the natural space and promote the separate collection of waste. The jury highlighted the participation of volunteers and the planning of the action.