From collecting microplastics by kayak to bioluminescence nights, the Fundació Alive is offering seven experiences that combine science, art and nature between 22 May and 5 June.
Empordà will host seven activities as part of Setmana de la Natura, the major environmental awareness event that brings together organisations, researchers and people from all over Catalonia, from 22 May to 5 June 2026. Fundació Alive, as the driving force and collaborator behind several of these initiatives, presents a diverse programme combining outings into nature, educational workshops, exhibitions, performances and nocturnal experiences, with the Mediterranean Sea as the undisputed star.
Totes les activitats són obertes al públic i pensades per a tothom, des de les famílies amb infants fins als més especialitzats en medi ambient.
For more information or to register, you can visit the official Setmana de la Natua 2026 website or contact the foundation by email at info@alivefund.org
MedFoto photography exhibition
MedFoto is an international Mediterranean photography competition which showcases all the winning images from the 2025 edition. A photographic exhibition that aims to show the Mediterranean Sea as closely as possible to reality. The images on display depict the Mediterranean Sea and its immediate surroundings.
This exhibition is located at El Cortalet, Castelló d’Empúries, in the heart of the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (PNAE), one of the most valuable natural areas in Catalonia. The exhibition is available to visit throughout the month of May. A visual proposal to reflect on the relationship between people and the Mediterranean.
Dates: From 7 to 31 May 2026
Opening hours: 09:00 – 20:00
Location: El Cortalet, Empordà Wetlands Natural Park (PNAE), Castelló d’Empúries
Price: Free activity with no registration.
Friday, 22 May 2026
Talk about the Alive Foundation’s Ibis Hermit Project
The Projecte Ibis Ermità is a reintroduction project for the northern bald ibis, one of the world’s most endangered birds.
This talk offers an introduction to the project, its conservation objectives and the actions being undertaken to recover the species at the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà.
The session will be led by Sònia Duñach, Technical Director of the Alive Foundation.
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Auditori del Museu de l’Empordà, Figueres
Price: Free activity, no registration required
Saturday, 23 May 2026
Surfing for Science. Collecting microplastics by kayak
The first activity of the week is a kayaking trip along the coast of l’Escala to carry out a microplastics collection as part of the Surfing for Science project. This scientific initiative aims to assess microplastic pollution in the coastal area. The collected samples will be sent to a laboratory specialising in the analysis of microplastics, where their abundance and the impact they have on marine environments will be determined.
The activity is promoted by the Fundació Alive and the Club Nàutic l’Escala. A sporting and scientific outing.
Time: 09:00 – 11:00
Place: Club Nàutic l’Escala (Escola de Vela), l’Escala
Price: Free activity with prior registration
Contact: esport@nauticescala.com
Tallers Empordà Mar
The Tallers Empordà Mar offer children and young people an immersive experience that combines learning, debate and creativity. Through active methodologies, such as symbolic play, artistic expression and participatory activities, where participants explore concepts such as sustainable fishing, ocean pollution, collective responsibility and coexistence with marine wildlife.
The workshops are scientifically validated by the Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), ensuring high rigour and providing useful tools for both the educational sector and families interested in a respectful approach to the environment. A proposal designed to connect pedagogy and environmental awareness.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 20:00
Place: Zona del Museu de la Pesca, Palamós
Price: Free activity, no registration required
Nit de bioluminescència a Castelló d’Empúries
A unique night-time experience to discover one of the sea’s most fascinating phenomena: bioluminescence. The activity begins in the evening at the entrance to Empuriabrava, where it will be revealed that, even in heavily humanised environments, the sea harbours a great wealth of life that is often unknown.
As part of the Projecte d’Àrees Verdes Marines, participants will discover and understand marine bioluminescence: what this phenomenon is, which organisms produce it and why it is key to marine ecosystems. There will also be discussion of plankton as an environmental indicator and of the relationship between the sea and human activity.
The activity does not include swimming or diving, but at the end guidelines will be provided for anyone who wants to try observing bioluminescence on their own.
Time: 21:00 – 22:00 h
Place: La bocana, platja d’Empuriabrava, Castelló d’Empúries
Price: 5€ per person. Pre-registration at info@alivefund.org
Saturday, 30 May 2026
Waste Collection at the Projecte Ibis Ermità aviary
The Fundació Alive is organising a volunteer day to collect rubbish around the habitat of the northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita), located within the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà in the municipality of Pau (Alt Empordà).
Ophelia and Manol, two northern bald ibises, reminded us in the worst possible way that debris around the aviary can be fatal to them. Therefore, this day is a call to direct action: a volunteer activity open to anyone who wishes to contribute to the protection of one of the planet’s most endangered species.
Time: 10:30 – 12:30
Place: Pau, Alt Empordà (Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà)
Price: Free Pre-registration HERE
La Tempestat de l’Oceà
A theatrical show full of magic and emotion to raise awareness of the state of the environment. In a forgotten corner of a collapsed ocean, three beings inhabit a fragile island: Pròsper, a clown obsessed with control; Miranda, a voice that sings the memories of the sea; and Caliban, an insurgent body fighting for lost balance.
La Tempestat dels Oceans is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest that combines mime theatre, clowning and live music with a highly symbolic set design. The show revives the metaphor of the island as a collapsed planet and aims to be a tool for raising awareness and strengthening hope for all audiences.
Time: 19:00 – 20:30 h
Place: Platja del casc antic, l’Escala
Price: Free activity with no prior booking.
Friday, 5 June 2026
Nit de bioluminescència a l’Escala
Bioluminescence night returns, this time to Cala de la Creu beach in l’Escala. The experience begins in the evening and offers participants the opportunity to discover the wealth of life hidden in the sea, even in heavily human-modified environments.
As part of the Projecte d’Àrees Verdes Marines, it will explain what bioluminescence is, which organisms produce it and why it is key to marine ecosystems. There will also be discussion of plankton as an environmental indicator and of the relationship between the sea and human activity on our coastline.
The activity does not include swimming or diving, but at the end guidelines will be provided for anyone who wants to try observing bioluminescence on their own. A proposal for looking at the sea with different eyes: more curiosity, more knowledge and more awareness.
Time: 21:00 – 22:00 h
Place: Platja Cala de la Creu, l’Escala
Price: €5 per person with prior registration at info@alivefund.org
For more information on all activities, please contact info@alivefund.org or visit setmananatura.cat
