The 26 photographs selected in the contest organized by the University and the Marjal Producers Association, along with a sound installation, are part of the exhibition at the Galería del Carmen of the Alhama Town Hall.

On April 25 and 26, the event Poplar Groves: A Source of Social and Environmental Benefits was held in Alhama de Granada. The event showcased the value of this deeply rooted crop in the region, which is experiencing a hopeful resurgence thanks to the promotion of sustainable construction with poplar wood by the European project LIFE Wood for Future. The participating experts discussed the role of poplar groves in enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, filtering water contaminated by agricultural fertilizers, and capturing air pollutants such as particles and gases. They also highlighted the groves’ historical connection with irrigation infrastructure and their positive impact on public health as recreational spaces for the local population.

The Friday session began at 6:00 p.m. in the plenary hall of the Alhama Town Hall, presided over by Mayor Jesús Ubiña, with free admission until full capacity was reached. Speakers included researchers Emilia Fernández Ondoño, Javier López Gijón, Antolino Gallego, José María M. Civantos, Naomi and José María Gil from the University of Granada, as well as Juan A. Luque from IGME-CSIC and Alberto de la Torre and Francisco Santos, poplar growers from the Marjal Association. The event was moderated by UGR professor and architect Adelaida Martín.

At 9:30 p.m., the exhibition Poplar Groves of Granada was inaugurated, featuring a selection of 26 photographs from the nearly 45 that participated in the contest organized by the LIFE Wood for Future project, the Marjal Poplar Producers Association, and the University of Granada. The photographs are accompanied by the sound installation Populus, created by composer José López Montes, which recreates the soundscape of these groves. In recent months, the exhibition has traveled through Granada city, Vegas del Genil, Santa Fe, Guadix, and Castril.

On Saturday, a guided walk was held through the surroundings of the Tajos cliffs, the Pantaneta reservoir, and the poplar groves along the Alhama River, led by José María Gil, a zoologist from the University of Granada.