More than 100 Agents Attend eduCAR 2026 in Montserrat
On Thursday 15 October 2026, the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Núria Parlon, took part in the eduCAR 2026 conference at Montserrat, where over 100 Rural Agents are meeting to strengthen environmental education and social outreach. The two-day event, running 14–15 October, focuses on ApropaNatura, a social initiative under the EduCAR programme that brings nature-based activities to people in care homes, special education centres, occupational workshops, and elderly residences. Parlon highlighted the agents’ role beyond enforcement, saying their work is fundamentally about direct engagement with communities. She stressed the need to balance increasing public use of natural spaces with environmental protection, urging responsible outdoor recreation.
ApropaNatura Connects Nature with Social Wellbeing
ApropaNatura adapts environmental activities for people with limited access to nature, including those with disabilities or in institutional care. The programme is part of a broader strategic push under the Generalitat’s Strategic Plan for the Rural Agents Directorate for 2026–2030, approved by government resolution GOV/45/2026 on 3 March 2026. The plan formalised a dedicated unit within the Rural Agents to coordinate educational efforts and expand public engagement. This includes tailored workshops using specific resources, such as tactile materials for visually impaired participants. The Group of Special Canine Units (GEK9) also demonstrated how dogs support outreach, incorporating animal interaction into therapeutic and educational activities.
Expert Panels Focus on Nature and Health
A roundtable brought together experts to discuss links between nature and wellbeing, covering topics such as paediatric health, mental health in hospitals, and art in natural settings. In 2025, the EduCAR programme delivered 997 activities, reaching nearly 30,000 people, mostly children and young people. In 2026, over 630 educational, informative and outreach activities have already taken place, benefiting more than 16,000 young people.
Regional and National Collaboration
Agents from all regional divisions and specialist support units are attending the Montserrat event. Observers from Madrid’s Forest Corps also joined to learn about Catalonia’s environmental education model. Elisenda Pérez, Director of the Rural Agents Corps, and senior officers including Josep Antoni Mur, Jaume Torralba and Sara Perarnau, attended the event alongside Parlon. P. Bernat Juliol, steward of the Montserrat Abbey, opened the conference.
“All our work happens outside, with people,” said Minister Parlon, underscoring the public-facing mission of the Rural Agents.
The EduCAR programme includes fire prevention, wildlife protection, and conservation awareness, serving as a preventive tool through public engagement.
Primary sources: govern.cat, cido.diba.cat.
