VÉMONOS NO MONTE (VEMO-NOS NO MONTE)

The priority was to care for natural spaces vulnerable to the spread of Invasive Exotic Species (IAS), acacia and eucalyptus in particular. Also, to: -Raise awareness and educate on environmental ...

The priority was to care for natural spaces vulnerable to the spread of Invasive Exotic Species (IAS), acacia and eucalyptus in particular. Also, to: -Raise awareness and educate on environmental issues about IASs and their negative impacts at the colonized areas, ie. loss of biodiversity and increased risk of fires. -Improve the education of participants in forestry matters, with special emphasis on the management of the aforementioned IASs. -Generate training itineraries in environmental conservation, forestry and forest fire prevention that are i.-eminently practical and applicable at both sides of the border; and ii.-can provide a career advantage for participants. -The creation and/or strengthening of regional and transnational networks between Galicia (NW Spain) and North of Portugal. -As a consequence of the former, to improve cooperation in the area of the Galicia – North of Portugal Euroregion on the matters addressed by the project. -Improve social cohesion in the places where the activities were carried out. -That Communal Forest in rural Galicia (Montes Vecinales en Mán Común), 'Baldíos' in Portugal, and other forest plot holders in both countries, will be able to resort to the brigades formed from this project.

1. Adult learning and training activities, whether brigade members with some experience or neophytes: -local/regional calls (15), whose dynamics consisted of a call to communal work ('roga' in Galician tradition) and collective afterwork-lunch. Prior to the intervention, the participants were instructed by experts on the techniques put into practice in the activity and then 'learned by doing' it themselves. -Cross-border calls (4) between Galicia and Serra da Estrela and Peneda-Gerês National Park in Portugal, following the dynamics of local 'rogas'. 2. Talk-colloquium (1) 3. Seminars (detailed in X-cel document uploaded to the E+PRP platform); Usually a 'roga' and a seminar or workshop in the afternoon were scheduled on the same day: -Practical workshops (9) -In-person seminars (7), various topics of interest to the project -Virtual seminar (1) 5. Civic Forum (1) 6. Final virtual seminar (1) for the presentation of the project results. 7. Children's activities: -during the 'rogations' of adults and emulating them, but adapted to the children’s abilities; -designed for children, so that adults could focus on their training.

OUTPUTS 1-Creation of the project web platform 2-Creation of original educational materials: ‘Vémonos no Monte!' Notebook (1) and supporting music: field diary aimed at children and their families; Didactic units (10), ministories with an attractive graphic design explaining a) origin and motivation of the brigades and their work dynamics; b) problems of IASs; and c) techniques for its management and control applied in the project; Video tutorials (10) of around 2 minutes each, illustrating the techniques applied in the field interventions (called 'rogas' in Galician language) 3-Poster A3 “Invasive Plants” (1) All of them freely available through the project website OUTCOMES 4-A training itinerary is proposed, reflected in a 'curriculum guide', applicable in both countries to train semi-professional forest brigade members, based on didactic resources and 'learning by doing' 5-Issuance of X accreditations 6-Creation in the Galicia-N.Portugal Euroregion of the cross-border network anticipated in the project proposal 7- Disseminate and raise awareness about the impact of IAS, particularly acacia and eucalyptus, in the Euroregion 8-Make the project and the Erasmus+ Program visible to society 9-Serve as inspiration in other countries