Geographical field trips in a protected landscape

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GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD TRIPS IN A PROTECTED LANDSCAPE

Discovering Volcanic landscapes Discovering Costa Brava landscapes Tordera river study Study trips led by local English-speaking guides

DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES

GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD TRIPS IN A PROTECTED VOLCANIC LANDSCAPE Study trips in the heart of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park led by local English-speaking guides aimed at discovering the secrets of the local volcanic landscape – the largest in the Iberian Peninsula - and the impact of this protected area on the local population and landscape.

Volcanic landscape

Croscat volcano

Sant Joan: lava flows

Santa Margarida volcano

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES Educational activities are based around guided fieldwork in and around the volcanoes and visits to the protected area, using materials that have been especially designed for this type of activity. Walks up and into craters, inside volcanoes, across lava flows and to the base of basaltic cliffs are combined with visits to the local volcano museum and natural park facilities.

VULCANISM - three levels 1. BASIC – a simple introduction to the local volcanic landscape and its relation to the main volcanic features.

2. SPECIFIC – a more advanced look at three overlapping lava flows (e.g. retraction habitats), cone morphology and land-use on the natural park.

3. ADVANCED – a broader, more general look at volcanic activity leading to a detailed study of volcanic materials and the six eruptive phases of the volcano Croscat, the largest and youngest in the Iberian Peninsula.

TOURISM 1. HUMAN IMPACT IN THE NATURAL PARK-- an introduction to the role of the Natural Park (including vulcanism) in local peoples’ lives and the impact they have on the Natural Park and its work.

2. LA GARROTXA AS AN EXAMPLE OF TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT – a detailed case study of the park’s role in local territorial management via a role-play aimed at generating debate regarding the many conflicting interests that the park’s management teams has to try and take into account.

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES

ECO-SYSTEMS STUDY On this day, students can complete a comparison study of the vegetation on the northern and southern slopes of Santa Margarida volcano; compare the kind of vegetation growing in a crater or simply observe the different species as you increase in altitude.

Each group will be provided with equipment to carry out the investigations if required (clinometer, PH meter, thermometer, psychrometer) or alternatively you can visit a nearby beech forest growing in a lava flow.

TORDERA RIVER STUDY SITES VISITED Upper, mid- and lower course of river Tordera Delta of river Tordera at Blanes TOPICS Data-collection: river width, depth, gradient, discharge Land-use Use of equipment River processes: erosion, transportation, deposition CONTENT Use of measuring tapes, flowmeters, clinometres, etc. to describe three different points on the course of the river Tordera.

A detailed educational resource pack will be provided that is suitable for students of Key Area 2 and Key Area 3

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES The activitie es includes: -

Powe er point presentation dettailling infformation and images aboutt the area Summary table off geogra aphy study themes and investigations T acher inforrmation sheet on each site Te Stu udentt activity y sheets Teacher answer sheets

- Fieldwork eq quipment list - Student kit list

- Exc clusiv ve specialiist Garrotxa guides

"... all the members of the team of DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES are fully acredited Natural Park guides. Between them have over 30 years experience working in the Natural Park as guides and teachers and collaborating with its projects. They all have a long experience in working with groups of all sizes and types in environmental education. Their respective projects and educational programs have always fully met all the Park's quality criteria" Xavier Puig Director, La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

Contact us: Beth Cobo e-mail: beth@trescalia.com T. (+34) 657.861.805

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES Geographical fieldtrips for schools

BASIC VULCANISM

AN INTRODUCTION TO VULCANISM SITES VISITED Volcano Museum Montsacopa (volcano in the city of Olot) TOPICS Plate tectonics Volcanoes and earthquakes Ecosystems Human impact on the environment CONTENT World distribution of volcanic and earthquake risk zones Causes and effects of volcanoes and earthquakes Types of eruptions and their outcomes Analysis of volcanic materials Land-use in volcanic areas Analysis of urban and rural landscapes in volcanic areas

The activity begins at 10 a.m. with a visit to the Volcano Museum in El Parc Nou, a public park in the city of Olot. This museum provides graphic insights into the whys and wherefores of the world’s volcanic and earthquake regions, as well as providing a chance to experience an earthquake en situ!

After a walk through the botanical gardens and a stop for lunch, we continue on to Montsacopa, a volcano situated in the middle of Olot.

Here, a three hour visit will reveal the internal structure of a volcano through a look at a former quarry that has bared the rocks that form the volcano’s cinder cone. Once on top of the volcano, we will be able to walk around the rim of its crater and enjoy excellent views over Olot, a city that has grown up in the heart of this volcanic zone.

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES Geographical fieldtrips for schools SPECIFIC VULCANISM

PROCESSES IN THE FORMATION OF VOLCANIC ROCKS: PYROCLASTS AND LAVA FLOWS SITES VISITED Croscat Sant Joan les Fonts and its three lava flows TOPICS Plate tectonics European Rift Volcanic landscape: uses and resources CONTENT Types of eruptions and their outcomes The influence of volcanoes on their surroundings Volcanic materials: pyroclasts and basalt Sustainable management in a Natural Park Land-use in volcanic landscapes Impact of tourism on the landscape

We meet at 10 a.m. in the car park at Santa Margarida to begin the visit to Croscat, the tallest and youngest volcano in the Iberian Peninsula. Here, we will learn about the structure of cinder cones, inside and out, and the nature of volcanic materials. As well, we will look at how a rural landscpae adapts to and benefits from the presence of the volcanoes.

After lunch, we head off to Sant Joan les Fonts, where we will look at the basalt formed when a lava flow solidifies. We examine the lenticular formations and basalt columns formed as the lava flow cools and the three lava flows that coursed along the valley of the river FluviĂ .

An ideal visit for discovering en situ the pyroclasts and basalts resulting from volcanic eruptions.

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES Geographical fieldtrips for schools ADVANCED VULCANISM

CROSCAT-SANTA MARGARIDA: A VOLCANIC SYSTEM AND ERUPTION SEQUENCE WITH TWO CINDER CONES AND A LAVA FLOWS SITES VISITED Volcanoes of Santa Margarida, Croscat and Pomereda La Fageda d’en Jordà, a beechwood on a lava flows TOPICS Plate tectonics European Rift Different types of eruptions Eruptive systems: the sequence of a complex volcanic eruption Analysis of volcanic material: pyroclasts and lava flows CONTENT Plate tectonics World distribution of volcanic and earthquake risk zones Types of eruptions and their outcomes Analysis of volcanic materials

We meet at 10 a.m. in the car park at Santa Margarida to begin the walk up to the crater of the volcano of the same name. This cinder cone was formed by the first phase of the eruption and the crater’s width gives us some idea of the initial power of this eruption.

We then head for Croscat to continue our study of the volcanic sequence. This volcano is the youngest in the Iberian Peninsula and its pyroclastic deposits provide clues as to the 2nd to 5th phases of this eruption, now Strombolian in nature.

Next we visit La Pomereda, where the lava flow from the final effusive phase is revealed. Finally, we visit the Fageda de’n Jordà, a beechwood standing on Croscat’s ‘aa’ lava flow,where we can walk on its roughened surface and visit some of its remarkable blisters.

An ideal visit for discovering the true nature and power of volcanic eruptions and just how they mould and influence the landscape.

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES Geographical fieldtrips for schools TOURISM

HUMAN IMPACT: HOW WOULD YOU RUN A NATURAL PARK? SITES VISITED Santa Margarida Croscat Natural Park Walk 1 Can Serra TOPICS Management in a protected area Human impact in an important area for tourism Plate tectonics CONTENT Sustainable management of the landscape Impact of tourism in a protected area Impact of human activities on landscapes quality Management strategies: the special case of La Garrotxa Plate tectonics Types of volcanic eruption Volcanic materials: pyroclasts

We begin at 10 a.m. in the car park at Santa Margarida and from here we head for a day in the Natural Park to enable students to find out how the park is run. We visit sites as diversse as the main car parks, the information centres, the former rubbish tip, private houses, various tourist sites and the volcano of Croscat, where we will also look at the different phases of its eruption.

Each student weill be given the task of carrying out an environmental impact of the areas, with the details of the subjects that need to be tackled. At the end of the day, we will put our heads together to draft a document with recommendations for managing this protected area.

An excellent way to experience the complexities of running a peri urban protected area.

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES Geographical fieldtrips for schools

TOURISM

A CASE STUDY: HOW TO MANAGE A NATURAL PARK IN A HUMANIZED PERI-URBAN LANDSCAPE SITES VISITED Can Serra Can Jordà : the Natural Park HQ La Fageda Cooperative TOPICS Management of a protected landscape The impact of human activities on the landscape Reconciliation of landscape conservation and economic activities Social impact: how sustainability affects the local population CONTENT Population dynamics: the impact of built-up areas and possible solutions Relationship between the environment and human activities Tourist and leisure activities: the pros and cons of being a well-visited area Environmental risks and benefits: how to conserve and manage the landscapes

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DISCOVERING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES Geographical fieldtrips for schools

First of all, in groups students will be given one of the following roles to play during the activity: • • • • • •

Local business such as a restaurant working in the tourist trade Environmentalist Natural Park Director Farmer Tourist Local mayor

Students will analyze the information they gather and draw conclusions in terms of the role they are asked as a means to understanding the conflicting interests at work in a protected area. Each group will be given information on their interest group’s motivations and aims and will study a particular problem or conflict (e.g. the building of a new road).

Our meeting place wil be the car park at Can Serra in the heart of the Natural Park, where we will provide an introduction to the Natural Park (its basic characteristics, management, populations, etc.) and begin the visits to different sites to analyse the elements and activities that characterize this protected area (e.g. picnic areas, carparks, information centres, signs, leisure facilities, footpaths). Each group will work separately, noting down the main features of the Park and drawing conclusions in the context of their different roles.

After lunch we will walk along one of the Park’s as Can Jordà, the Park’s HQ, where we will be its aims, activities an results. Each group will and cons of the Park’s management plan in interest group.

most popular trails as far able to visit a display on have to analyse the pros terms of their particular

The walk then heads to La Fageda, a cooperative producing dairy products situated in the heart of one of the Park’s natural reserves. This business venture is in fact a foundation that provides work for people with learning disadvantges and is a good example of good business practices within the context of a protected area. Here too we will learn about the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, a quality label awarded to fifteen local businesses that accredites their products and services as compatible with sustainable development.

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DISCOVERING COSTA BRAVA LANDSCAPES GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD TRIPS IN A PROTECTED GEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE

STUDY TRIPS IN THE HEART OF CAP DE CREUS NATURAL PARK LED BY LOCAL ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDES

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Discovering Costa Brava landscapes

COASTAL GEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES CAP DE CREUS NATURAL PARK SITES VISITED Tudela natural reservation Light house area: geological itinerary TOPICS Pyrenees formation Geological processes Human impact on the environment Social impact: how sustainability affects the local population

CONTENT Discovering the Axial Pyrenees at the Empordà region Historical geology of Cap de Creus: formation processes Types of erosion: wind and sea water Impact of tourism on the landscape Flora: how to adapt at extreme conditions Landscape as artistic inspiration: Dalí For more information about the field trips: www.trescalia.com/schoolgroups Inquiries call (+34) 657.861.805 or email info@trescalia.com

Discovering Costa Brava landscapes

COASTAL GEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES SITE: CAP DE CREUS NATURAL PARK Description We meet at the information center of Cap de Creus Natural Park around 10 a.m. to begin the visit. Our itinerary will be the 15th of the Natural Park.

This itinerary show the students the different types of rocks existing at the Natural Park, as well as the possibility to find many different minerals.

Geological formations here are so evident, and will show us the results of pressure on metamorphic rocks.

After lunch, we head off to Tudela natural reservation. This area have been recently restored. A Club Med resort was here for a long period, and now it’s an example of how tourism impact on protected areas and local communities. The amazing shapes of the rocky landscape in Tudela has inspired many artists. We’ll find the real places of some Dali’s paintings.

An ideal visit for discovering amazing rocky landscapes and understand some geological processes (erosion effects).

For more information about the field trips: www.trescalia.com/schoolgroups Inquiries call (+34) 657.861.805 or email info@trescalia.com

Discovering Costa Brava landscapes

THE SEA AND THE COAST IN THE BAY OF ROSES

CAP DE CREUS NATURAL PARK SITES VISITED Roses view point: megalithic area The beach near by Roses and protected area TOPICS Impacts of tourism and sustainable tourism at the coastline Study of the coastal environment Ecosystem in mediterranean coast CONTENT Human impact in an important area for tourism Quality assessment evaluation for different sites Impact of human activities on landscapes quality Reconciliation of landscape conservation and economic activities Social impact: how sustainability affects the local population

For more information about the field trips: www.trescalia.com/schoolgroups Inquiries call (+34) 657.861.805 or email info@trescalia.com

Discovering Costa Brava landscapes

THE SEA AND THE COAST IN THE BAY OF ROSES

CAP DE CREUS NATURAL PARK Description Roses is an essentially Mediterranean town with a notable tourist and seafaring tradition.

It lies in a unique natural setting in the northern part of the Costa Brava, less than 30 km from the frontier with France, 65 km from Girona and 160 km from Barcelona.

We’ll walk to the megalithic area: and excellent view point of Roses bay and all the area. Drawing a fields ketch of the area will find out the main items: strongly tourist area and two natural parks at the surroundings. We’ll fill a quality assessment tab to analyse it. After the conclusions about what is the best way to manage a human impact and protected land (strategies), we’ll head off to the coastal line.

Using different equipment, we’ll make a coastal environment transsect. We’ll work on ecosystem hypothesis; algae, animals, type of rock, etc.

An ideal visit for know how difficult is management an area with a lot of tourism and the impact of related activities.

For more information about the field trips: www.trescalia.com/schoolgroups Inquiries call (+34) 657.861.805 or email info@trescalia.com

STUDY TRIPS LED BY LOCAL ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDES

TORDERA RIVER STUDY GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD TRIPS IN A NATURAL PARK

The study of rivers and their systems is an important part of many geography curriculums and is often conducted via practical exercises carried out in the field. In addition, this type of fieldwork provides an excellent opportunity to teach data-taking skills and concepts whose use goes beyond that of simple geographical studies.

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TORDERA RIVER STUDY SITES VISITED Upper, mid- and lower course of river Tordera Delta of river Tordera at Blanes

TOPICS Data-collection: river width, depth, gradient, discharge Land-use Use of equipment River processes: erosion, transportation, deposition

CONTENT Use of measuring tapes, flowmeters, clinometres, etc. to describe three different points on the course of the river Tordera.

For more information about the field trips: www.trescalia.com/schoolgroups Inquiries call (+34) 657.861.805 or email info@trescalia.com

TORDERA RIVER STUDY HOW DO CHANNEL CHARACTERISTICS VARY WITH DISTANCE DOWNSTREAM? Locations The investigation can be carried out at 4 sites.

Sites 1 and 2 are in the upper course, Site 3 is in the middle course and Site 4 is in the lower course.

Time of year The channel will only contain water during the winter months. From March until November the channel is likely to be completely dry. It may therefore not be possible to carry out the necessary measurements to test all the hypotheses*.

Suggested hypotheses 1. Channel width will increase with distance downstream 2. Channel depth will increase with distance downstream 3. Cross sectional area will increase with distance downstream 4. Wetted perimeter will increase with distance downstream* 5. Discharge will increase with distance downstream 6. Velocity will increase with distance downstream 7. Channel gradient will decrease with distance downstream 8. Bed load will become smaller and less angular with distance downstream For more information about the field trips: www.trescalia.com/schoolgroups Inquiries call (+34) 657.861.805 or email info@trescalia.com

TORDERA RIVER STUDY The river Tordera offers a wonderful way of practicing these field skills in an environment that will be unfamiliar to the vast majority of students coming from the British Isles – that of a seasonal Mediterranean river. This river rises at over 1100 m, high up in the Montseny mountains, and then runs 57 km to the sea at Blanes. Along this relatively short course the river passes through its upper, middle and lower courses in a relatively short stretch and thus allows students to appreciate the differences in the processes at work in these different sections of a river valley.

All data-collection points are easily accessible by coach and easy to manage from a logistical perspective.

Furthermore, the river valley lies close to the coast and students staying in El Maresme, for example, will have but a 45-minute coach journey to the first data-sampling point where, despite its relative proximity to the coast, the river behaves as a mountain stream.

Not far downstream the river enters its midcourse and then relatively quickly enters its much more languid lower course.

For more information about the field trips: www.trescalia.com/schoolgroups Inquiries call (+34) 657.861.805 or email info@trescalia.com

GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD TRIPS IN A PROTECTED LANDSCAPE Join us on these amazing landscapes! "... all the members of the team are fully acredited Natural Park guides. Between them have over 30 years experience working in the Natural Park as guides and teachers and collaborating with its projects. They all have a long experience in working with groups of all sizes and types in environmental education. Their respective projects and educational programs have always fully met all the Park's quality criteria" Xavier Puig Director, La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

For more information about the field trips: www.trescalia.com/schoolgroups Inquiries call (+34) 657.861.805 or email info@trescalia.com