Over the past few weeks, the RetechFOR has developed a comprehensive series of educational workshops in secondary schools and high schools in Castile and León, with the aim of introducing young people to technological innovation applied to forest management, the bioeconomy, and fire prevention.
These conferences, held in collaboration with the Castile and León Regional Government's Department of Education and with the participation of various project partners, have enabled hundreds of students to learn firsthand how artificial intelligence, drones, satellites, remote sensors, and aeronautical platforms are transforming the way we care for and manage our forests.
A tour of high schools throughout the Community
The sessions have been held at various educational centers in the Community, such as the IES Hipólito Ruiz López (Belorado, Burgos), the IES Ezequiel González (Segovia), and IES Pío del Río Hortega (Arrabal de Portillo, Valladolid), Martínez Uribarri Secondary School (Salamanca), the IES Recesvinto (Venta de Baños, Palencia), the Gil y Carrasco Secondary School (Ponferrada, León), and Corazón de María School (Zamora).
On each of these days, students in fourth year of secondary school and high school were able to discover the current challenges facing the forestry sector and the professional opportunities offered by a field undergoing digital transformation.
Technology at the service of forests
The speakers, professionals from organizations such as RetechFOR, ITCL Technology Center, AIR Institute, itagra.ct, the University of León, Vexiza, and Somacyl, presented concepts such as forest bioeconomy, the use of data for forest inventory, and early fire detection , and the so-called "digital brain of the forest", a common data space that facilitates informed decision-making in forest management.
Throughout the sessions, it has been highlighted how technological innovation not only improves efficiency in forest management, but also contributes decisively to environmental protection, sustainability , and the prevention of major natural disasters.
Awareness, vocations, and the future
One of the most positive aspects of these conferences has been the interest shown by the students, both in environmental issues and in the technological applications presented. Their participation and questions reflect a growing concern for forest conservation and a clear interest in science, innovation, and technology.
At RetechFOR, we believe it is essential to promote this ecological awareness and awaken vocations in a sector that is key to the future. Initiatives such as these educational conferences help young people understand that technology and nature can not only coexist, but that together they are essential for moving towards more sustainable and intelligent forest management. more sustainable and intelligent forest management.
The project RetechFOR, funded by the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan with funds from the European Union – Next Generation EU, continues its work of dissemination and knowledge transfer, focusing on training and awareness-raising as fundamental pillars for the future of our forests.
