Local Heroes!
Eco initiatives on the Costa del Sol
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Plastic Free Seas Worldwide, founded by Craig Webb, active in organising Beach cleanups along the Costa del Sol, and elsewhere around the world. See Blog on Laguna Village Beach Cleanup March 2019. facebook.com/plasticfreeseas
Seprona is the Guardia Civil's environmental protection unit. Safeguarding the native fauna and the environment is their focus. They are based all over Spain, including the Costa de Sol. Their toll-free telephone number 11811 is available 24 hours.
Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia, the national ocean-study institute in Malaga which is one of nine such locations of the institute around Spain. Their research focuses on the marine environment and fish. http://www.ieo.es/es/web/malaga
Playa Patrol, an organisation which organises beach cleanups on the Costa, operating in Granada province in the La Herradura/ Almunecar area. Run by Ann Henhoeffer, they organise cleanup events several times a year. Take note of their 15minute challenge. www.playa-patrol.com
Acorn, a group co-ordinated by Stephen Amore, who clean up in the Duquesa area. Google 'Acorn Duquesa' to find their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/263869877575537. Note : it's a public page, anyone can view it)
Ecologists in Action
Ecologists in Action is a confederation of more than 300 environmental groups in Spain. www.ecologistasenaccion.org
They carry out awareness campaigns, public or legal complaints against those actions that harm the environment, while at the same time developing concrete and viable alternatives in each of the areas where they operate. The Andalucia arm of Ecologists in Action is headquartered in Sevilla, (andalucia @ ecologistasenaccion.org) with a branch in Malaga (malaga@ecologistasenaccion.org)
ProAventura in Nerja, an adventure tourism company, who have organised beach and cliff cleanups in their home territory, using kayaks and motorboats (see local news above)
Asociacion Mar Puro, a local group who organise occasional beach cleanups and art workshops for kids using materials recovered from the sea. I particularly like their Beach Ashtray initiative (decorated jars provided on a Use it and Return it) basis at Playa del Rodeito. Photo on their Facebook community page (www.facebook.com/AsociacionMarPuro/)
Let us know!
If you are aware of any initiatives underway and that we could mention here, please let us know. We'd be very pleased to spread the word. Contact costaecogroup@gmail.com