The Department of the Environment in Orihuela, led by Councillor Noelia Grao, has announced the launch of a free “School of Nature” from April 22 to 25, designed for children aged 6 to 12 who are on their Easter break.
The initiative aims to educate young participants about sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental care through practical, hands-on activities and immersive experiences in nature.
The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at two locations: the Palmeral Interpretation Centre in Orihuela—home to the second-largest palm grove in Europe—and the Town Hall auditorium in Orihuela Costa.
Each location offers a unique setting for exploring local ecosystems, from inland agriculture and biodiversity to the marine life and coastal challenges of the Mediterranean, such as plastic pollution.
Developed by a team of environmental education experts, the activities are designed to be active, creative, and participatory. Children will engage in science-based exploration, artistic expression, and teamwork, all while developing a deeper emotional connection with their natural surroundings. The use of eco-friendly materials and methods is central to the program’s philosophy.
The main goals are to raise environmental awareness among children, foster a love of nature through direct interaction, encourage scientific curiosity and critical thinking, promote civic responsibility from a young age, and strengthen their emotional ties to their environment.
Activities at the Palmeral will include birdwatching and scientific bird banding, wildlife tracking with clay footprint modelling, sun printing with local plants, making seed bombs with native species, exploring regional geology and fossils, and learning about insects through building insect hotels.
In Orihuela Costa, many of these workshops will be adapted to the coastal environment, with additional sessions focused on marine species and habitats, as well as a hands-on beach microplastic cleanup.
Registration is open via email at territorionatura.actividades@gmail.com. Participating children should bring a hat, water, sunscreen, and a snack.
