CEAM aims to be a benchmark for educating society about environmental values. Environmental education serves as a common thread for raising awareness, ecology forms the basis of all active initiatives, and the rational use of natural resources facilitates interaction. All these elements make this garden a unique project in the city of Seville.
Urban garden, knowledge transfer, organic farming, reasonable water consumption, flower garden, educational garden
Centro de Educación Ambiental Miraflores
Local association
Around 1980
CEAM Miraflores, C. al Psiquiátrico, Norte, 41020 Sevilla
CEAM was born out of an initiative by residents of the Pino Montano neighbourhood to make use of the gardens and buildings of the former Miraflores Psychiatric Hospital, which had fallen into disuse.
Pino Montano began to take shape as a neighbourhood in the 1960s, just as Seville was beginning to grow rapidly and somewhat haphazardly towards the north. Since the first residents arrived in 1970, the neighbourhood has continued to grow.
CEAM is closely linked to the neighbourhood and to the General Community of Owners and Residents of Pino Montano.
The CEAM project is based on environmental education as the central axis of awareness, ecology as the essential pillar of all active action, and the rational use of natural resources as a means of interaction.
One of CEAM’s key programmes is the Garden Programme, which offers more than 200 organic family gardens, along with additional plots managed by associations. These spaces, each measuring around 100 square metres, allow gardeners to grow food using organic methods, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and the local production of high-quality food. In the short term, this programme has encouraged community participation and education in environmentally friendly agricultural techniques. In the long term, it promotes greater ecological awareness and strengthens social ties within the community.
Another important initiative is the Aldea Programme, which offers facilities for ecotourism activities. This programme allows groups and organisations to carry out environmental activities, including the option of staying overnight at the centre. In the short term, it has expanded the range of educational and recreational activities related to environmental awareness. In the long term, it is expected to deepen participants’ appreciation and commitment to nature conservation.
CEAM has facilities that house various animals for educational and recreational purposes for children and adults. In the short term, it has facilitated direct interaction with animals, enriching the learning experience. Over time, it fosters respect for living beings and a greater understanding of the importance of biodiversity.
The Equestrian Programme is a notable initiative in the northern district of Seville, with more than 3,000 square metres of equestrian facilities. This programme not only offers riding lessons, but also aims to introduce equine therapy in the future, promoting the inclusion and well-being of people with different abilities.
CEAM hosts different types of workshops, courses, conferences, etc. Some are promoted by experts in a certain field, and others by the city council. Some of them are:
Bread workshop
Ethnobotany workshop
Natural cosmetics workshop
Cattails workshop
Ceramics workshop
The CEAM facilities include an incredible museum that collects both pieces found on the CEAM grounds and other pieces donated by people who participate in the garden as well as the Pino Montano neighbourhood community.
CEAM’s activities address key objectives within a community garden, such as environmental education, the promotion of sustainable practices and community building. In the short term, concrete results include greater public participation and environmental awareness. In the long term, these initiatives contribute to the development of a more conscious society committed to sustainability and care for the environment.
Developing a centre of this kind requires knowledge of environmental science, ecology and sustainable agriculture in order to design and deliver programmes on biodiversity, organic farming and climate adaptation. In addition, pedagogical knowledge helps to create engaging learning experiences. Technical knowledge of organic farming, permaculture, and urban gardening is needed to maintain green spaces, while basic carpentry, plumbing, and maintenance skills help with infrastructure. If the centre includes animal-assisted programmes or equine therapy, knowledge of animal care is required. To ensure accessibility, knowledge of special education can help make programmes inclusive. In addition, knowledge of administrative and financial management is essential for coordinating this type of space.
We are currently building the GARDENISER ACADEMY E-Learning Platform – a space designed to provide free to use training for gardeners all around Europe.
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