The LIFE LYNXCONNECT Project, focused on consolidating the recovery of the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Spain and Portugal, continues to carry out different awareness-raising activities in Educational Centres in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura with our partner ADENEX (Association for the Defence of Nature and Resources of Extremadura).

During the present year 2023, 62 informative actions have been carried out, of which 8 have been carried out in Infant and Primary Education Centres (CEIP), 1 in a Rural Grouped Centre (CRA) and 8 actions in Secondary Education Institutes (IES). In total, more than 1,280 students have participated.

As for the ages and academic years of the participating students, they are of a wide range. They are studying from the 3rd year of primary school to the 4th year of secondary school, and their ages range from 8 to 16 years old.

On the other hand, during 2023 the project has reached 14 municipalities in the region: Almendralejo, Cabeza del Buey, Don Benito, Mérida, Mirandilla, Navalmoral de la Mata, Navezuelas, Plasencia, Quintana de la Serena, Roturas, Santa Amalia, Trujillanos, Villafranca de los Barros and Villanueva de la Serena, even repeating in some of them (10 municipalities in the province of Badajoz and 4 in the province of Cáceres).

The activities aim to bring the students closer to the importance of the LIFE Projects, and in particular, the progress being made by the LYNXNCONNECT Project. This is the fourth LIFE project approved by the European Commission for the conservation of the Iberian Lynx and, thanks to the experience acquired in previous projects, the creation of a genetically and demographically stable metapopulation, as well as its recovery in the Iberian territory, is now closer than ever.

Finally, we would like to announce that, at present, we are still in contact with new Educational Centres in the region to offer them the opportunity to participate in the dissemination activities and, with this, to take the LYNXCONNECT Project and its advances to all corners of Extremadura in the coming months.