The University Campus of Gijón, more sustainable
The University Campus of Gijón starts the year with 1,400 new trees in its surroundings. It is the result of the environmental project promoted by the University of Oviedo and the EDP Foundation in order to reforest several campus’ areas with species of recognized value and low biodiversity criteria.
The technic direction and execution of the plating was carried out by the Fund of Wild Animals’ Protection of Asturias (FAPAS), entity that collaborates closely with the EDP Foundation in environmental projects in the region.
The project was presented at the Gijón Campus by the Rector of the University of Oviedo, Santiago García Granda; the Councilor Delegate for Maintenance and Public Works of the Gijón City Council, Olmo Ron Prada; the General Manager of the EDP Foundation, Vanda Martins; and the President of FAPAS, Roberto Hartasánchez. During the presentation, several trees were planted on the Campus.
Walnuts and hazels stand out among the planted trees, with 500 of both species. There are also yew, holly, birch, ash, wild cherry, serval and wild pear trees. The goal, highlighted by Hartasánchez, is to “favor in these areas the forming of an important and lushy forest mass with biological diversity; at the same time that many of these species produce fruits, which will contribute to the feeding of squirrels.”
The agreement between the University of Oviedo and the EDP Foundation will continue in 2021, when other 700 trees will be planted in this environment.
With this project, both the University of Oviedo and the EDP Foundation reinforce their commitment with sustainability and the environment’s improvement, at the same time that they go a step forward in their contribution to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), within the action plans around the Agenda 2030.
This contribution is also reflected in the fifth position that the University of Oviedo occupies in the Greenmetric ranking among the Spanish universities. This index analyses the efforts in sustainability and management politics that are respectful towards the environment.
The environmental projects are a priority for the EDP Foundation, that has had its own program of tree planting since 2009. Through this initiative, it plants more than 10 000 species in Asturias each year.
Both entities have been keeping a close relationship for more than 30 years, regarding the most notable scholarship program of the University of Oviedo, the program Martín González del Valle, promoted by the EDP Foundation, that allows 150 students from more than 30 specialties to complete their academic training in the installations of the energy company.