Becoming at one with our green surroundings

NESTLING in the heart of the Denia National Park under the ever watchful eye of the landmark Montgo Mountain, is Forest House.

Set in a Mediterranean garden of 4,600 m2, the centre is a training and research organisation, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (IRYDA) designed to offer in-house studies under the umbrella of one big classroom devoted to Mother Nature.

Besides its year-round scheduled programmes of special courses, workshops, exhibitions and conferences, the Department of the Environment are now opening up the facilities to schools, associations, foundations and anyone wanting to become at one with our natural green surroundings.

The first of these new initiatives will take place on Saturday, focusing on routes accessible by foot, bicycle or wheelchair, embracing the environmental heritage of Denia.

Leader of the pack will be Denia Councillor Rafa Urios.

On May 5, landscape architect Jan Van Eijle will explain the secrets of ‘Invasive’ garden plants within Mediterranean gardens.

This workshop will include a guided tour of L’Albarda Jardi Pedreguer. If family gardens are more up-your-street, you can’t afford to miss Jose Manuel Bisseto an expert on the subject – not surprising as he heads up the family firm of Agricologia de Benidoleig.

His seminars are on May 12 and 19 and include visits to Torrecremada urban gardens.

Action men and women don’t despair as you are invited to meet Maria Cruz on May 26 to talk about hiking, and Miguel Angel Crespo will explain cycling routes in Denia and Marina Alta on June 2.

Ensuring all aspects of worshipping Mother Nature are covered within this imaginative and comprehensive programme, on June 9, Pepe Mengual will be explaining the theoretical notions about how light plays an integral part of photography in the wild, including practical sessions.

Devotees of herbal remedies will also be catered for on the morning of June 16 between 10am and 2pm by Mario Perez when he will talk about medicinal plants, followed closely by Manuel Montes special complimentary presentation focusing on health by nature, or in plain language, self healing.

Finally, on June 23, June Hall will present a talk on birds of the Montgo, supported by an audiovisual projection show. Enrollment is free of charge, but places are limited to between 25 to 30 visitors per workshop.

If you are interested, you should either email: mediambient@ayto-denia.es or telephone 96 646 7061 as soon as possible.

Registrations periods end at 2pm on Thursdays prior to the date of each workshop.

By Benny Davis