The event will take place next Thursday, June 18 at 6 pm in the Salvador Hall of the Botanical Institute of Barcelona
“When we think about the environment, we often imagine forests, rivers, seas, animals or landscapes,” writes Sònia Garcia, senior CSIC scientist at the Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB, CSIC-CMCNB). “But behind everything we know about nature there are people who observe, measure, write, draw, denounce and explain: scientists, teachers, doctors, lawyers, illustrators, activists, journalists… Many of these people are women, but for a long time they have remained largely invisible to society.”
These words open the prologue of the book Researchers, Pioneers and Environmental Activists in Catalonia. Volume I, which will be presented next Thursday, June 18, at the Salvador Hall of the Botanical Institute of Barcelona.
About the book
The publication Researchers, Pioneers and Environmental Activists in Catalonia. Volume I invites readers to discover the life stories and professional trajectories of twelve women who, from very diverse fields, have made decisive contributions to the knowledge, protection and defence of the environment in Catalonia.
Among the protagonists is Suzanne Davit, a scientific illustrator linked to the Botanical Institute of Barcelona, renowned for the quality and precision of her illustrations, which contributed to the dissemination and documentation of Catalonia’s natural heritage. Her work represents an exceptional combination of science, artistic sensitivity and observation of nature.
The volume also highlights figures such as Núria Garcia-Jacas, scientist and researcher at the Botanical Institute, who contributed to the knowledge of one of the largest and most important plant families (the composites, especially the thistle group), as well as to the conservation of the endemic species from Cap de Creus, Seseli farrenyi.
Through these and other stories, the book recovers female role models, often overlooked, and reivindicates the fundamental role of women in the construction of environmental knowledge in our country.
Excerpt from the book about Núria Garcia-Jacas, scientist and researcher at the Botanical Institute.
About the presentation
The book presentation, organised jointly by the Gender Team of the Ecological Transition Secretariat of the Government of Catalonia, the Equality Committee of the Botanical Institute, and the book’s author, Sònia Garcia, will take place on Thursday June 18 at 6 pm in the Salvador Hall of the Botanical Institute of Barcelona. Access will be through the Passeig del Migdia entrance (s/n).
During the event, Sònia will present the book and offer an introduction to its protagonists. There will also be a round table discussion with some of the women featured in the book —or with their relatives and friends— to share experiences and memories linked to their life stories, always taking into account a gender perspective.
Attendees will receive a copy of the book and will also be able to visit a selection of Suzanne Davit’s original illustrations, created during her time at the Botanical Institute of Barcelona. After the talks, a small outdoor refreshment reception will be offered.
Registration
Registration is free until full capacity is reached. You can fill out the form here.
We encourage you to join us for this gathering to continue discovering stories that deserve to be told, recognised and remembered. We would be delighted to welcome you!
Excerpt from the book about Suzanne Davit, scientific illustrator linked to the Botanical Institute of Barcelona.