The Jane Goodall Institute Spain (IJG) invites you to explore urban biodiversity through botanical trails and ornithological activities, in an event open to the public that will be held next Sunday, January 27 in the Juan Carlos I Park in Madrid. The BioDiverCiudad environmental programme has the collaboration of the Biodiversity Foundation.

The first ecosafari of the calendar of activities for 2008 launched by the JGI in Madrid will take place on January 27 in the Juan Carlos I park, with the aim of bringing citizens closer to the adventure of discovering the flora and fauna with which we live in urban spaces. The activity consists of two botanical trails and an ornithological route, and will be attended by Professor Shoots (a fictional character created to encourage the youngest).

Ecosafaris are aimed at the general public and designed so that all participants of any age find a way to get closer, know and enjoy nature without having to leave the city. In the Juan Carlos I, for example, more than 70 species of birds have been observed, including some as surprising in an urban environment as the kingfisher or the night heron. The park is also home to botanical treasures such as the Hinojosa Olive Grove, with more than 2,000 specimens, and about 10,000 trees of different species.

In addition to walking the trails and playing games for children, material from the Jane Goodall Institute and the BioDiverCiudad program will be delivered, and information will be provided on other initiatives of this non-profit organization, such as the chimpanzee reintroduction program run by two Spaniards in the chimpanzee orphanage of Tchimpounga (Congo).