News and updates
Grant updates (15/11/11)
Ses Feixes
Ses Feixes is an important wetland and haven for wildlife, located between Ibiza Town and Talamanca. IPF has awarded local NGOs two grants aimed at garnering public/political support for the protection of this area. Funding supported an information campaign and guided visits by Amics de la Terra, and the production of an educational video by GEN/GOB (12.000 videos distributed).
Since the campaigns have been in effect, there have been both positive and negative developments. Initially there was an enthusiastic response from both the public and government and significant political will to recuperate the area. Urban planning legislation changed Prat de Vila into “suelo rústico”, and called for a “Plan Especial” to protect the area. Ses Feixes was included in the Catalogue of Balearic wetlands, which confers protection to these areas. 400,00€ of public funding was allocated to start draining and restoring the canals, and a further 1.9 million Euros was allocated to buy the land for restoration and build an educational centre.
However, due to a recent change in Balearic government, the direction of the 1.9 million Euros is now unclear. Furthermore, the former government did not approve the new, more protective, land-planning regulations drafted with NGO participation over the last few years. With the current government, the 2003-2007 Plan Territorial Insular (PTI), that envisages building a road across Ses Feixes (which is one of the most serious threats to the area), is back in place.
There is a clear need for further action to protect the wetland, and GEN/GOB in particular is vigilantly continuing its campaigning and is working with pro-conservation organizations and individuals.
Cala D’Hort
GEN/GOB’s campaign to re-establish long-term protection and conservation of the Cala D’Hort area is ongoing. The work carried out over the last year, funded by the Ibiza Preservation Fund, has focused on establishing and coordinating field research carried out by biologists. This research will be published as a book later this year and the data used within ongoing campaigns to try to regain the protection of the natural park.
Recuperating the original area of Cala d’Hort Natural Park is a long-term objective. GEN/GOB has challenged the withdrawal of Park protection before the Spanish High Court, but the legal procedure -if successful- may take years. Meanwhile, calling for enforcement of EU regulations (not subject to constant changes, nor political whim) is proving a successful strategy to stop negative development.
Environmental news from Ibiza – 14.11.11
The Spanish economic crisis is becoming a serious threat. Instead of a welcome opportunity for change it has led to severe budget cuts for environmental action in the Spanish, Balearic, and Ibicencan administrations. Financial difficulties have led to reductions in support for environmental NGOs. Meanwhile the rhetoric of “job creation” and “economic recovery” in the construction sector means environmentally destructive projects are again given a high priority.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Land is currently working on reversing development restrictions made in 2008 preventing urban development in protected natural areas, in order to unlock 1500 hectares of land on which building was halted. The department claims that this will revive the economy and prevent liability claims worth millions being made by developers. Areas involved include forested land around Roca Lisa, Punta Pedrera, and Benirras.
The new Baleares Government has also asked Madrid to halt the process of approval of the Baleares Plan Hidrológico (Water Plan) submitted in March 2011. This means further delays in the implementation of solutions to Ibiza water problems. Although the strong reliance in desalination plants of the Plan was heavily criticized by environmental NGOs, it also included positive measures to improve water purification and re-use of water resources, and conferred a certain degree of protection to wetland areas, like Ses Feixes.
Given this current political and socio-economic climate, support for environmental work in the Balearics is needed more than ever.
News from 2010
14 of 20 Lots sold at The Art of Preservation Auction
The 2010 end of season fundraiser art auction was a great success despite heavy rain on the night. Auctioneer Emma B kept the bidding up and 14 of the 20 Lots sold for over and beyond the guide prices. A huge thank you to all those that braved the rain to come and support and enjoy the night. Click here to see photos from the night.
Many of the artists attended and the night was well attended by local press with articles the following day in El Diario de Ibiza and Ultima Hora, local Television channel IB3 as well as online magazines.
Thank you to all the artists who donated so generously and to Atzaro for the venue, mememe PR, Last Night a DJ Saved my Life and all those who came and supported the night.
We hope that everyone enjoyed the evening and we are looking forward to more Ibiza Preservation Fund fundraising events in the Autumn.
The Art of Preservation Auction
Ultima Hora Cultura news report.
Download the The Art of Preservation Auction Catalogue for a preview of the Lots here: Maqueta LOW
The Ibiza Preservation Fund is delighted to present “The Art Of Preservation Auction” at Atzaro, thursday 23rd September from 20:00 until 02:00.
The Art of Preservation is one of a series of events the Ibiza Preservation Fund is organizing to raise awareness and support for critical conservation projects on the island. There is a natural synergy between the conservation and the artists inspired by the island and we are delighted to have their generous support. Guests are invited to enjoy an exclusive evening of art, environment and music.
London/Ibiza based art consultant Eleanor Forster has assisted the Ibiza Preservation Fund in bringing together a collection of art for the auction that reflects the diverse range of artists that have a strong relationship with Ibiza. Featured artists include Peter Unsworth, Malou Ericsson, Antonio Villanueva, Piers Jackson, Grillo Demo, Xenz, Tracey Taylor, Francesco de Stefano and many more.
“I am thrilled to support the Ibiza Preservation Fund in their work to help preserve this idyllic island. I have met a wide array of artists of all ages and practices who love and/or live on the island and incorporate it’s unique spirit in their work. From young emerging to internationally renowned artists, this auction presents a beautiful collection of works and a fantastic opportunity to support the island’s environmental preservation. A very warm thank you to all the artists that kindly donated their works and a very warm thank you in advance for your generosity on the night!” Eleanor Forster
Atzarro have kindly given their venue to host the auction in an active show of their support for the Ibiza Preservation Fund.
Last Night a DJ Saved My Life will be featuring innovative sets from DJ’s Jon Sa Trincha, Mr Doris, Daisy Heartbreaker, and Antz.
Please arrive at 8pm for your free welcome cocktail and canapes and to preview the art before the auction begins at 9pm
Earth Dance @ Casita Verde Sunday 19th September
Greenheart and Follow Your Heart Productions put on a full day of entertainment, live music, DJ’s, raw food and much more to celebrate Earth Dance global day of community and peace. Earth Dance 2010 was a great success attended by many people from all over the island of all ages. 400€ was raised for the Ibiza Preservation Fund from donations at the door. Thank you to Greenheart, Follow Your Heart Productions and everyone who came and enjoyed the day. For those of you who couldn’t make it and those of you who did here are some photos from the day’s fun:
you can see more from Casita Verde here: http://www.casitaverde.com
Fire in Beniras under control
The past 3 days the island has watched the extraordinary effort to extinguish the fire that started in Beniras on Sunday afternoon and that fuelled by strong winds has burned 349 hectares of protected pine forest from Beniras towards Punta Xarraca. It was confirmed this morning that the emergency services now have the fire under control. There are no longer flames, however firefighters are continuing to work on hotspots within the zone. This is an environmental tragedy for the island and it will take at least 20 years to rehabilitate the area. Our deepest condolences go towards all those people living in the zone and who cannot know yet what they will return to.
Photos from the fire in Beniras
http://comunidad.diariodeibiza.es/galeria-multimedia/LOCAL/Incendio-Benirras/17286/1.html
Less Jellyfish in Ibiza
The good news for bathers in Ibiza’s warm summer seas is that there are far fewer jellyfish this year. This has been confirmed by the Red Cross which looks after beach safety and provides first aid, who say that they’ve had many less incidents of jellyfish stings this year than in the past.
The explanation has been provided by Diego Ponce, an oceanographer from San Antonio’s Environment Department who says that there’s a connection between the island’s winter weather and the number of jellyfish by the shore.
The comparatively high rainfall last winter reduced the salinity of the sea water round the coast. This has formed a barrier to the salt loving jellyfish which have remained, for the most part, about one kilometre out to sea.
So, there you have it, every black cloud, does have a silver lining!
Exhibition Thursday 12th August
The Ibiza Preservation Fund announces its participation in a unique and spectacular cultural event in the prestigious Palacio Bardaji in D’Alt Villa. The photographer Malou Ericsson brings her show INDIVISIBLE from London to Ibiza for a one off night of art, performance, film and live music.
Ericsson will donate 5% of her sales to the Ibiza Preservation Fund, who have a presence on the night, projecting archive footage on the environment and history of Ibiza in the Cinema room.
Ericsson is an island resident and hopes other individuals and businesses on the island will follow her example with enthusiasm.
“This is a beginning. What we give, we get back a thousand fold. Ibiza has supported my own evolution in untold wonderful ways. I am glad the Ibiza Preservation Fund opens up an avenue in which, in my own small way, I may reciprocate and help support the environmental evolution of the island” said Ericsson.
In recent years, public concern about environmental issues in Ibiza has grown, and some efforts are being made to change the island’s unsustainable growth patterns. Long-established environmental organisations on the island are doing excellent work, but with limited resources. Now is the time to support them.
“The time to act is now. If all of us give a little we could do something long reaching in its effect” said Ericsson.
The Ibiza Preservation fund invites you to enjoy a night of culture and entertainment at the Palacio Bardaji in D’Alt Villa from 9:00 pm until midnight on Thursday 12th August.
