“Natura oculta”, responsible ecotourism in the Val d'Aran

 

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Folleto NATURA OCULTA 2016.FH11In order to publicize the interesting diversity of natural species of the Val d’Aran and the surprising habitat that surrounds them, the responsible ecotourism initiative, “Natura oculta” brings together an interesting range of activities and outputs guided through the territory. In addition to disclosing the beauty of the natural environment of the valley, the program affects the sustainability of the destination as a guarantee of added value for the visitor.

From mid-June to late September, they can be carried out workshops about medicinal plants and bird watching tours to see the small mammals that hide in the Aranese forests, educational visits showing monumental trees and vegetation of wetlands mountain and even mycological conferences. In this link you can download the complete program of activities organized through the Departament de Medi Ambient del Consèlh Generau d’Aran.

Responsible Tourism Destination

From Torisme of Val d’Aran is strongly recommends responsible tourism, with judicious use of natural resources, respect for native fauna and silence of the environment, proper disposal of waste, careful with fire and promotion of hiking, bicycle and public transport.

3f4e5b8a-ff90-44bc-9689-3b9cfb64601bThe Val d’Aran was the first mountain destination to receive the accreditation of Biosphere Responsible Tourism in January 2014. With this certification adds value to the environment, as one of the great assets of the territory and the local cultural heritage preserved over the centuries.

The result of this effort was also recognized with the Val d’Aran as a finalist in the National Geographic Legacy Awards in March 2015, in Destination leadership category, which rewards those leaders destinations that demonstrate best practices in protecting nature and culture, and working with visitors to raise awareness about environmental protection.

 

Toni Estany Memorial, a tribute to the photographer of dragonflies

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The work of the Aranese photographer specializing in capturing images of dragonflies will be recognized this spring at the Toni Estany Memorial, an international event that includes an exhibition, a photo contest and odonatology Symposium.

W-expo libellulesThe 33 species of dragonflies that live in the Val d’Aran, photographed by Toni Estany, star in the exhibition that opens today April 14 and will remain in the exhibition hall of Vielha until the 17th of June. Grouped under the title “Libélulas en la Val d’Aran”, the 53 photographs, presented in various sizes and materials, illustrate the beauty and the colours of this so common insect in Aranese lands.

International competition

Coinciding with the exhibition, has been announced an international photography competition of odonatology, sponsored by El rincón de las libélulas, a Facebook group created by Toni Estany which already has more than 1500 members admirers of this insect. The event, reward the best photograph of dragonflies and the best photograph of dragonflies of the Val d’Aran, which must be submitted before the 30th of June.

CARTEL TONI ESTANYA jury integrated by representatives of associations, and photographers will assess the images, always on released dragonflies, for their quality, originality, difficulty and the affinity to the category. The awards ceremony will take place on July 17 in the exhibition hall of Vielha.

Check the rules and the entry form in this link

Presentations and journeys

Among the events of Memorial Toni Estany it is also scheduled to hold a symposium of odonatology, on 15, 16 and July 17 in Vielha, which will have ten speakers specialists in the photograph of this insect. Also during the event will be presented in the Val d’Aran the Atlas de libèl·lules de Catalunya and will be organized some journeys to show the dragonflies of the valley, some of them almost unique.

Toni Estany, fond of nature and the macro-photography, understood photography as a more graphic medium supplemented with drawing and painting, to illustrate this insect that fascinated him. His eagerness to seek out new copies of dragonfly, led him to identify three new species, thus contributing to their cataloguing.