Taking part is one of the foundations of our association and our participative character shows in our organisational structure. It comprises members and volunteers involved at different levels and areas, in order to respond to environmental demands of a local and global context.
For years, Amigos de la Tierra's volunteering group has worked on small projects to improve the local environment through activities such as reforestation, cleaning and restoration of damaged areas.
As well as direct environmental action, we also work on raising public awareness about relevant environmental issues (such as climate change, waste, where our food comes from and international co-operation) through street activities, taking part in fairs or getting involved in national and worldwide environmental days.
We also have a social commitment that is reflected in political activities that we carry out through different groups of volunteers and members.
In this regard, we keep up to date with projects, plans and laws that may lead to environmental deterioration, in order to make representations when necessary.
Equally important is the work we do from a proactive point of view.
Active outings
Ways to improve our surroundings
Active outings are an Amics de la Terra project directed at our volunteers and members. It has two aims:
- to create a group of volunteers and members trained in different environmental areas
- to carry out specific activities and work that boosts Mallorca's biodiversity.
We work with other entities that provide space, technical staff and planned activities. In exchange for taking part, the Amics de la Terra volunteers receive theoretical and practical training.
Examples of active outings to date
- Cleaning a forest path in Valldemossa (with Fundación Balear Sostenible)
- Restoring dry stone walls and maintenance work on olive groves (with the Asociación de Propietarios del Barranco de Biniaraix)
- Cleaning coastline at the Son Real finca (with Fundación Balear Sostenible)
Climate outings
Can we already see the effects of climate change in Mallorca? What are they and how do they affect us?
In 2009, Amigos de la Tierra set up a participative project to investigate the current reality of climate change on our island, called climate outings.
The aim is to bring the problem of climate change closer to the people and find out its effects on Mallorca's natural spaces, country estates and local trades, plant and wildlife conservation organisations, etc.
The outings are always led by people with many years' experience, who share their real, practical perceptions of the effects of climate change.
Our climate outings have taught us that climate change is already affecting us and that changes can be seen in:
- bird migration
- plant blossoming periods
- sea temperature increases
- crops that can't withstand the summer's heat
- greater extremes of hot and cold that hinder plant growth
- an increase in plagues of insects, and so on.
Climate outings in 2009 and 2010
- Dragonera Natural Park
- Finca Sa Teulera
- Albufera Natural Park
- Finca Son Torrella (Puig Mayor)
- Finca Son Real
- The Can Majoral winery
- A photovoltaic solar energy park in Llucmajor
- Fundación para la Conservación del Buitre (Vulture Conservation Foundation)
- The producer of Es Raiguer honey
- The botanic gardens in Sóller