Students from Nature Campus visit the natural space at Montserrat - Coll de Can Maçana for the first time
On 15 February a session will be held to discover Montserrat – Coll de Can Maçana: Geology and landscape and management of natural spaces.
The Nature Campus programme stimulates the talent and encourages the vocations of 30 students from the 1st and 2nd year of Baccalaureate with a particular interest in research in the field of biodiversity and nature conservation.
The 30 Baccalaureate students who take part in the Nature Campus programme at the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation will discover the natural space at Montserrat – Coll de Can Maçana on 15 February.
Located in the town of Bruc and within the Mountain of Montserrat Nature Park, this space occupies almost 7% of the nature park and is the main access point to the trails and rocky peaks in this lesser-known part of Montserrat, where the monoliths and vertical forms create a unique, awe-inspiring labyrinth.
In this session, students will deepen their knowledge about the geological history of the space, from a stratigraphic analysis of the terrain to the study of erosion materials and processes. In addition, you also find out everything you need to know about managing a natural park like the Mountain of Montserrat by assessing the state of the forest in different transects and getting to know in detail the different management measures which have been carried out.
Activities in Montserrat – Coll de Can Maçana
Activity 1. Geological history of Montserrat
Time: 10 am to 11 am and 3 pm to 5 pm / Location: Different locations
Activity coordinated by: Josep Maria Fabra, Territory and Environment Team of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation.
Description: Introduction to the formation of Montserrat at different strategic points for a detailed observation of the different stratigraphic cuts that make up the space. Study of the pre-existing Paleozoic materials in the Montserrat formation and that on which they were deposited. Panoramic view and the context of Montserrat. Route from the Information Point of Montserrat - Can Maçana to Sant Pau Vell (20 minutes one way) to observe the formation of Montserrat as a delta of a marine basin and the view of the pines and the formation of the prominent features of the mountain. Analysis of the different levels that make up Montserrat (conglomerates, sandstones, clays), their hardness and differential erosion. Geological hazards (rock falls)
Activity 2. Management of a natural park: forest management of the area of Montserrat - Can Maçana
Time: 11 am to 12 pm/Location: Information point Montserrat - Coll de Can Maçana
Activity coordination: David Saez, Territory and Environment Team of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation.
Description: Introduction to the development and features of the management plan for a natural space, taking as an example the management carried out in the Montserrat Mountain Natural Park. Analysis of the Montserrat LIFE project and the actions carried out in the park for its management: controlled burning of flora, re-population with species of interest, monitoring of animal species, etc.
Activity 3. Forest assessment
Time: 12 pm to 1 pm/ Location: Camí de les Batalles
Activity coordination: David Saez, Territory and Environment Team of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation.
Description: Study of the vegetation cover of different areas of the Coll de Can Maçana estate of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation. Analysis of the differences between a healthy and managed forest and an unmanaged forest. Field practice for measuring the quality of a forest area: Transects for species count, measurement of tree diameters and calculation of forest age
All the sessions are very practical which means participants can get first-hand experience of the kind of tasks carried out by the professionals who manage natural spaces.
The next sessions will take place at MónNatura Pirineus (20, 21 and 22 March), on the Blanes coast (18 April), at Alinyà Mountain (9 and 10 May) and with the closing session at Casa Milà-La Pedrera (22 May).
Nature Campus Programme
The programme stimulates talent and encourages the vocations of thirty young students in the 1st and 2nd year of their Baccalaureate studies with a special interest in research in the field of biodiversity and nature conservation.
This is an opportunity for students to become familiar with fieldwork and learn more about the different techniques used to study and conserve land and marine flora and fauna from experts in this field.
Nature Campus consists of seven theory and practical sessions held on Saturdays or at weekends during the academic year 2019-2020 between September and May.
The majority of the sessions are held in the natural spaces owned by the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation: La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Alinyà Mountain, MónNatura Pirineus, MónNatura Delta, Montserrat-Coll de Can Maçana and Món Sant Benet. These sessions examine issues related to biodiversity and environmental and nature conservation.
The Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation is committed to preserving and managing our natural heritage and works on environmental awareness and education. It also provides opportunities for those who need it most, fostering talent, creation, education, and culture.