The Manuel Carra Theater in Castril has hosted today Saturday October 26 the seminar ‘Poplar, water and owners’, in which a dozen professors, researchers and specialists have exposed the positive impact that this crop so deeply rooted in the area of Castril-Castillejar-Cortes de Baza has on biodiversity, carbon absorption, soil and water quality and soil quality. Not to mention that poplar trees are a source of health and wellbeing for the population. José María Gil (UGR), María A. Ripoll (IFAPA), Sergio Martos (IGME CSIC), Emilia Fernández (UGR) and Aurora Bueno (UGR), validated from a scientific point of view the benefits that poplar plantations bring to society and our territory.

Next, the president of the Marjal Poplar Owners’ Association, Victoria Carreras, presented the great progress made so far by the pioneering group in Spain promoted by COSE, which already has more than 100 owners in its ranks.

An excellent presentation by María Carmen García, technician of the Junta de Andalucía, and photographer, showed the fundamental and essential role that extensive livestock farming plays in our territory to keep our soils alive, as well as to maintain the activities rooted in it, fighting against depopulation and promoting biodiversity.

Finally, and in synergy with the Revierte project, the professor of the University of Granada and coordinator of the MEMOLab laboratory, José María Martín Civantos, presented the results of the research study carried out in the area on historical irrigation, in terms of mapping of irrigation ditches, governance and irrigation communities and community associations. This is an essential topic with a high impact on the poplar sector in the area, as well as many other small farmers’ crops that sustain the local economy.

The event was attended by almost 50 people, arousing great interest due to the diversity of the presentations and aspects discussed. The seminar was followed by the opening of the exhibition ‘Choperas de Granada’, curated by the professor of the University of Granada, Consuelo Vallejo, organizer of the whole event. A wide selection of photographs of the nearly 200 that participated in the contest organized in the spring of 2022 by the LIFE Wood for Future/Madera para el Futuro project, the Marjal Chopo Producers Association and the University of Granada. On this occasion, works by the photographer from Pozo Alcón, María del Carmen García, were also included, which greatly enhanced the exhibition.

The exhibition has been presented in different parts of the province: Granada, Belicena, Instituto Hermenegildo Lanz, Santa Fe, Guadix and now Castril, and is scheduled to be closed in the final event of the project in September 2025.

The event was inaugurated by the mayor of the town, Miguel Perez, who has put all the means of the municipality at the service of the celebration of the event.