11 Apr Summary of the Final Conference of the Phy2SUDOE Project
On 30 and 31 March, the Interreg Sudoe Phy2SUDOE project held its Final Event at the Palacio Europa (Vitoria-Gasteiz). The project started at the end of 2020 and will end at the end of April 2023. More than 80 entities participated in the event, including several companies, public entities and research centres from several countries.
The partners of the Interreg Sudoe Phy2SUDOE project, from Spain, Portugal and France, as well as professionals from the world of plant management participated in this event to learn about the latest developments in the field of plant management. The Final Event was opened by the Deputy Mayor and President of the CEA, Ana Oregi. Imanol Zabaleta, director of the CEA, closed the inauguration by valuing the importance of international collaboration in this field.
First day
The first day was divided into two sessions. The first session started with the intervention of Kate Kennen (Offshoots) on the integration of phytoremediation in landscape design. Cesare Salvetat (Municipality of Milan) followed with the case of Parco delle Cave (Italy) as an example of regeneration in Milan. Antiono URchaga (SEO/BirdLife) then presented the case of Cuchía Quarry (Spain) to illustrate the restoration of degraded areas.
A second session started with a presentation by Paola Sangalli (SCIA SL / EFIB) on the importance of biotechnology for landscape restoration. Sophie Laugareil (Arjuzanx Reserve) then shared the case of the Arjuzanx lignite mine (France). The first day was closed by Wendy Andringa (Assamblage Landscapes), who spoke about the case of the Hudson Riverfront Park (USA).
Second Day
The second day of the final conference also featured two sessions. The first one focused on the presentation of the results of the Phy2SUDOE project. Carlos Garbisu (NEIKER), coordinator of the project, opened this second day of the conference by introducing the Phy2SUDOE project to the attendees. He gave the floor to those responsible for the work packages so that they could present their results. Ángeles Prieto (CSIC) began by focusing on the establishment of new decontamination areas in Galicia (Spain). Michel Mench (INRAE) followed with the creation of new decontamination centres in France. Helena Moreira (UCP), together with Brais Hermosilla (Olárizu Botanical Garden) focused on the conservation of metallophyte species in the Lanestosa mining area. They gave way to Txema Becerril (UPV/EHU), who presented the phyto-management of Basque sites. To conclude with the results of the project, Juan Vilela (CEA) presented the opportunities for phytomanagement in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
A second session, focusing on other European projects linked to the phytomanagement of contaminated soils, opened with the GREENER Project, presented by Rocío Barros (University of Burgos). Ekain Cagigal (Tecnalia) then spoke about the POSIDON project, and José Luis Vilas (UPV/EHU) ended with the presentation of the SYMBIOREM project.
Closing of the final conference
The final conference of the project was closed with the exhibition of the posters submitted by some of the students. Lur Epelde (NEIKER), Eyal Grossman (Tel-Aviv University), Marie-Cécile Affholder (INRAE), Alejandra Pérez (UPV/EHU), Ana Sofia Sousa (UCP) and Sandra Curiel (University of Burgos) presented their work. The project partners awarded the prize for the best poster to Alejandra Pérez.
You can watch the presentations of the two days on our YouTube channel by clicking on the following links: