In the framework of the Blue Flag programme, Balneario La Florida in Argentina presented ‘La Travesía del Sauce Criollo’, a travelling artwork that is integrated into the city's environmental education agenda. This artistic and community project is part of a larger effort focused on environmental education, waste management, safety and water analysis.
‘La Travesía del Sauce Criollo’ is a monumental sculpture created by internationally renowned artist Alejandro Propato, a specialist in large-scale sculptures in natural public spaces. Inspired by the Creole willow, a tree that grows along rivers and whose seeds are dispersed through water, the work combines art and environmental awareness in an innovative way. The structure simulates the trunk and branches of the willow, while its foliage is built in a participatory way using reusable plastic PET strips.
In this sense, more than 30 institutions, including cultural centres, NGOs, neighbourhood organisations, faculties, municipal secretariats, the Aquarium and the River Advisory Council, have already joined this process, as well as 25 schools participating in the construction of the foliage. In addition, 9 plastic bottle collection centres have been set up at strategic points in the city: the municipal centres of the South, North and Centre districts, the Centre for Contemporary Expressions, the Parque España Cultural Centre, the Municipal School of Urban Arts, the Faculty of Humanities and Arts and the Argentine Library.
It is worth noting that the project not only seeks to raise awareness about the importance of the native willow tree and reforestation with native species, but also to promote reflection on consumption and its impact on nature. Thus, ‘La Travesía del Sauce Criollo’ is an opportunity to unite community wills in pursuit of positive change.
"We believe that, by uniting community wills, we will generate the necessary change while reflecting on our consumption and its impact on nature. We want to highlight the importance of reforestation with native species and how we can all be agents of change," said La Florida.
