After the launch of the Spanish UBN Hub in November 2021, the long-awaited UBN Spanish webinar series was finally kickstarted on May 12th. The first webinar, which focused on the role of nature-based solutions (NBS) for the renaturing of cities, raised great interest, with more than 60 registered attendees coming from different public and private institutions across Spain and Portugal. A number of engaging speakers kicked off the webinar series by sharing their unique experiences, perspectives, and expertise:

• The webinar was presented by Esther Fontán Prado, 3rd Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Environment and Sustainability in A Coruña. Esther welcomed the speakers and talked about her ambition to position A Coruña as spearhead of the implementation of NBS in Spain.
• Stuart Connop, from the University of East London, presented the H2020 Connecting Nature project and the steps followed by the partner cities for the implementation of nature-based solutions using a series of innovative tools.
• Elena Pita, director of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition, presented the initiatives and funding opportunities that the Spanish Government has launched to promote the renaturing of cities, and gave some hints about future actions and platforms that will be launched later this year.
• Alicia Villazán, from Valladolid City Council, presented the various innovative actions and NBS demonstrations implemented in Valladolid as part of the H2020 Urban GreenUP Project, including urban renaturing projects, green walls and green roofs, and bioswales and sustainable urban drainage solutions.
• Ane Itziar Velasco presented the extensive experience of Vitoria-Gasteiz in implementing an ambitious green infrastructure plan, with a green ring surrounding the city and green corridors connecting the different open spaces. He also outlined new initiatives to renature the most built-up areas of the city and the historical city center.
• Iria Suárez Corral, from the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve As Mariñas Coruñesas – Terras do Mandeo, talked about the participative process undertaken to develop an ambitious and pioneer Green Infrastructure Initiative at a territorial scale for the area of A Coruña, including 18 municipalities.
• Finally, Andrés Alcántara, from the IUCN-MED, presented the Málaga SBN Cluster, which involves public organizations, private sector and NGOs working together to develop nature-based solutions in the area of Málaga.

All in all, a very instructive webinar which initiated the path for the following to come. If you couldn’t attend, don't worry, the recordings will be available very soon in the UrbanByNature webpage, so don’t miss out!

Image: Esther Fontán (Councilor for Environment and Sustainability, A Coruña City Council), Antonio Prieto (A Coruña City Council), Andrés Alcántara (IUCN-MED), Ane Itziar Velasco (Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council) Pedro Muradás (Biodiversity Foundation, Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition), Alicia Villazán (Valladolid City Council), Iria Suárez (Unesco Biosphere Reserve Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo)