Training
Training for shepherds and farmers
The aim of this activity is to offer specific training for active professionals and students of the agricultural/farming sector, as their professional activity takes place in the distribution area of the brown bear in the Catalan Pyrenees. This training programme is based on the management measures for the reduction of conflict between the presence of the brown bear and domestic livestock or beekeeping.
Training aimed at future shepherds and owners of mountain livestock, and also at prospective and current employees of agricultural holdings, is carried out through the Shepherds School of Catalonia (Escola de Pastors de Catalunya), School of the Pyrenees (Escola del Pirineu), the Agricultural School of Pallars (Escola Agrària del Pallars), the Agricultural and Forestry School of Santa Coloma de Farners (Escola Agrària Forestal de Santa Coloma de Farners) and the Higher School of Agriculture of Barcelona, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Escola Superior d’Agricultura de Barcelona de la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya).
Through theoretical and practical sessions, students from these centres learn about the biology of the bear, the population situation of the species, the interaction between wildlife (large carnivores) and the livestock activity and, especially, about the damage preventive measures that are been taken through the Piroslife project.
In addition, work meetings are carried out with active professionals, and with representatives of the local livestock sector, in order to show the lines of action of the project and its evolution. These meetings also serve as a space for continuous dialogue with the sector and, especially, to provide them with training on damage preventive measures that are being taken within the scope of the project.
Training for tourism companies
Ecotourism related to the bear can contribute to the economic development of the territory. To achieve this goal, we need to have prepared professionals, with knowledge about this species and their habitat they can use positively in favour of the preservation of the species, with the creation of ecotourism products that encourage the conservation of biodiversity in this territory.
For this purpose, training sessions are held for tourism agents and local guides of the territory.
Teacher training
One of the key elements in the development and implementation of the educational proposal of the Piroslife project is the training and awareness of both active and prospective teachers in the educational centres of Catalonia.
With this objective, this programme is aimed at pre-school and primary school teachers who are finishing their initial education at the Faculty of Education Sciences of the University of Lleida. Conferences, workshops and field trips are incorporated to their teaching curriculum. As complementary activity, continuous training courses are held for teachers of pre-school and primary education who are already working in the education system of Catalonia, and that are integrated into the training offering of the Education Department of the Government of Catalonia.