Between the 8^th and the 21^st of July, the youth association obre't'ebre, with the coordination of COCAT, organized performed for the 4^th consecutive year an environmental workcamp in the Ebro Delta with 12 youngsters coming from different countries (Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey and Catalonia).
Among the activities realized was the cleaning and watering of 200 tamarisk (Tamarix) in the lagoon of l'Encanyissada, the planting of 15 trees in the Mas de la Cuixota-Restaurant l'Estany, the elimination of around 1000 apple snails and 2000 lays of eggs of the same invasive species in a canal near the Hermita of L'Aldea. It was very rewarding to contribute to the elimination of this new scourge of apple snail, which is very harmful to the rice culture. But we believe that both the administration and the agricultural sector itself, are not putting the necessary means to deal with an issue as important as this plague. It is difficult to understand how a sector so important for the territory, is having so little support by public and private stakeholders in the prevention and elimination of pests that affect each year in the fields of the Delta. We hope that they will give more support in the future.
Furthermore, we also denounced the lack of civility and respect by many tourist and swimmers that comes to the Trabucador beach, with the activity of artistic cleaning. The participants created sculptures inspired by flora and fauna of the Delta, with the rubbish that they collected on the beach, in order to give awareness to the beach users of the importance of conservation of flora and fauna and the respect of nature.
The participants discovered the beauty of Ebro Delta from all its perspectives, as they did excursions by bike in the Delta, an excursion to the Serra del Montsià, and also a canoe trip in the river, organized by the Platform in Defense of the Ebro. They learned a lot about sustainability, conservation and appreciation of natural heritage, and responsible consumption, making them respect both the environment and society.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge the support we received from public entities such as the Youth Secretariat and the Environment Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the City Councils of Sant Carles de la Rapita, of Amposta and Poblenou del Delta, and to all the organizations and associations that have collaborated or have offered their help to show the participants some aspects of the culture and society of Terres de l'Ebre, such as traditional games like Birla and Morra, or all those little things that give identity to a region. We also thank the School of Agriculture of Amposta, the Restaurant l'Estany, the Natural Reserve of Riet Vell of SEO/BirdLife, The Natural Park of the Ebro Delta, the alberg l'Encanyissada, the rural house Lo Segador, AudouinBirdingTour, The Library Marcel·lí Domingo of Tortosa, Nature, Tourism and Traditions Polet and Morràpita. Thanks to everyone for supporting us in the dissemination of culture, natural heritage that are part of the Ebro Delta.