The University of Cantabria created the EUNICE Forest by planting native species with the active participation of students and staff to highlight the alliance’s commitment to greener international mobility and to strengthening environmental sustainability in Cantabria region.
The University of Cantabria (UC) and the EUNICE alliance created the EUNICE Forest in Viérnoles (Cantabria), planting 411 native trees—one for each Erasmus mobility carried out during the 2024/2025 academic year. The initiative reflects the shared commitment of UC and EUNICE to more sustainable international mobility and to the environmental wellbeing of the regions where the alliance is present.
Around thirty students, academics and staff members took part in the planting activity. “Each tree represents an international experience and reinforces our commitment to greener mobility, aligned with EUNICE’s values as a European university addressing major social and environmental challenges,” noted Gabriel Moncalián, UC’s Vice-Rector for University Transformation.
The project, jointly led by the Vice-Rectorates for Sustainability and for International Relations, forms part of the broader sustainability strategy that UC and EUNICE integrate across teaching, research and institutional management. As highlighted by María Margallo, Vice-Rector for Sustainability, the activity also plays an important educational role by fostering environmental awareness and shared responsibility among the university community.
Beyond its symbolic dimension, the EUNICE Forest contributes to restoring deforested land, enhancing local biodiversity and preventing soil erosion. It will also act as a natural carbon sink, helping mitigate climate change and improving environmental quality in the surrounding area.
