'Species Catalog' project expands its educational classroom in La Palma

The initiative, led by artist Naza Martín, seeks to connect art and science to foster eco-social awareness among students on the island.

Generic image of a hand drawing in a sketchbook, with art supplies and blurred natural elements.
IA

Generic image of a hand drawing in a sketchbook, with art supplies and blurred natural elements.

The Species Catalog project, which merges art and science, has inaugurated its second phase at the Insular Museum of La Palma, featuring an educational classroom aimed at students across the island to foster eco-social awareness.

The initiative, which has established itself as a bridge between artistic creation and scientific rigor, has opened an educational classroom in the Patio de los Naranjos. This space aims to multiply its impact among students throughout the island, offering a pedagogical experience that goes beyond textbooks.
During the presentation ceremony, prominent figures were present, including Isabel Santos, director of the Museum; Miriam Perestelo, counselor for Culture and Heritage of the Cabildo; Alfonso Montes de Oca Acosta, Executive Director of the Biosphere Reserve; Belén Caro, biologist of the Biosphere Reserve; and Naza Martín, artist and mastermind behind the project. This gathering not only served to unveil the new facilities but also to symbolize an institutional alliance that places female leadership at the forefront of sustainability and culture in La Palma.
The main novelty of this second phase is the adaptation of a learning space in the Patio de los Naranjos. This location will allow educational centers from all over La Palma to visit the Museum and participate in activities designed to delve into the eco-social crisis. As explained by Naza Martín, the goal is to use art as a tool to understand the climate emergency, promoting critical thinking and a genuine connection with the natural environment.

"You cannot protect what you do not love, and you cannot love what you do not know. By addressing the crisis from an emotional and creative perspective, the educational project helps to form citizens who not only understand that the planet is changing but also feel responsible and capable of acting on their own island."

Naza Martín · Artist and project creator
The project addresses the eco-social crisis, understood as the breakdown of the link between society and its environment. Through Species Catalog, it seeks to raise awareness among new generations about the fragility of the ecosystem, using the World Biosphere Reserve as a scientific reference framework. Artistic education is presented as a means to foster values and a new perception in the face of the climate emergency.
With the support of the Biosphere Reserve, the Insular Cabildo, and the collaboration of CaixaBank, Species Catalog aims to consolidate the Insular Museum as an active center for social and environmental transformation in La Palma, with a focus on present and future generations.