INGENIO shares its research on citizen science and cultural heritage at PRESURA 2026

INGENIO (CSIC-UPV) presented a citizen science initiative aimed at supporting the recovery of Las Médulas following the wildfire in August 2025 at the National Fair for the Repopulation of Rural Spain (PRESURA 2026). The project was selected by the CSIC Citizen Science Office as one of the 20 contributions presented at the event.

Researchers Adela García Aracil, Rosa Isusi Fagoaga and Alejandra Osoro Fernández presented a paper entitled Citizen Science and the Valorisation of Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Case of Las Médulas, a study conducted by the Social Risks Group at GADE-CSIC. This citizen science study was developed using a participatory risk management model based on living labs. “This methodology has enabled us to gather the experiences, concerns and ideas for the future of the local community in Las Médulas,” explains Adela García, a researcher at INGENIO (CSIC-UPV).

In this context, the researchers developed the ‘resilience tree’, a tool that reflects the solidarity received by the local community, their emotional connection to the area and their aspirations for the future. The study’s findings highlight the importance of community participation, institutional support and the promotion of sustainable, high-quality and less seasonal tourism as key factors in the recovery of Las Médulas following the wildfire.

PRESURA 2026

The tenth edition of PRESURA brought together experts and initiatives focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing rural areas, with particular emphasis on science, sustainability and the role of knowledge.