Why are the insects that we love so much and that we have enjoyed with such passion all these years not available? We will make a brief summary to share with you what happened, after receiving so much support and so much love, we can at least explain a little the situation, which is logically so unpleasant, sad and unfair from our point of view.
The reason is sad but simple. After 8 years behind the administrations asking how to carry out our project, finally the prize we have obtained is being forced to stop marketing these insects. We have never hidden what we wanted to work on, how and for what purpose (mainly educational, we think that an education based on practical work observing live insects, always with the utmost respect for the living being, is so beneficial for the recipient, especially if it is for children, which we believe should be something obligatory in educational centers, it activates so many instincts and awakens so many sensations and emotions that it activates people to see things in a different way, far from the reality in which we live, which unfortunately, is not very encouraging). After projects in the classrooms, children go from stepping on ants at recess to wanting to investigate and discover more about these tiny beings that are so important in the balance of the natural environment. We made available to these little animals a farm of more than 11,000 m2 of land, with a perimeter fence, a greenhouse for worms, organic plants for caterpillars and other animals, a water tank with more than 50,000 liters of water, 2 adapted maritime containers, one as a warehouse and one completely insulated inside to accommodate all the insects inside, with automatic photoperiod, humidity and temperature controlled throughout the year and of course, all this powered by a renewable energy source, in our case solar panels with their respective batteries to last through the night.
All this accompanied by a work of accompaniment to the people who contact us to inform at all times, be it Monday, Sunday or Christmas, of how to keep these fabulous living beings in the best conditions. Those who know us will be able to corroborate that they have always been attended to with the utmost professionalism and closeness, regardless of the day and time.
We have also collaborated in high-level scientific studies.
We have support from people with very important positions in companies who know this sector perfectly, even from people who work in companies that are part of the system.
We have presented all the documentation that has been requested of us.
We agreed to stop marketing native species because the law protects them, although our opinion is that it would be much safer to be able to work with species from the environment than with exotic ones. I suppose the reasons are understandable, in addition to the fact that they can then see them in the environment, identify them and explain it to those around them and encourage even more respect for nature.
As a person, I cannot understand that you can go to a supermarket, a garden centre or wherever, buy a chemical product, and spray indiscriminately all the plants you want, where of course there is a lot of native fauna and unfortunately it dies… but on the other hand, projects of this type cannot be carried out…
For example, a farmer who has a cabbage field, the cabbage butterflies will surely come to lay eggs, it will be filled with caterpillars and the cabbages will end up badly, so it is totally respectable that this person, who lives off of that, applies some kind of brake to save his way of earning a living, up to that point, it is respectable, the same with garden centres that treat their plants, other farmers with their trees and a long etc… if all that is allowed (without considering many things that could be debated), why are projects like ours not allowed, where there is a huge amount of work behind it, where there is professionalism, where there is passion and where there is education?
The scales are not balanced right now, we are destroying the environment, projects like this are needed, it doesn't matter if it's ours or another one, it's necessary, the environment is being destroyed by the minute, nothing is being done, only human interest prevails, why don't we realize that human interest is also the balance of the environment?
After so many years, almost a decade, the mental and physical exhaustion I feel is very great, but these days of reflection, rewinding everything I've been through, everything I've built, everything I've lived and how much I care about animals, I don't feel like throwing in the towel, I've always complied with everything and I've knocked on every possible door to ask if it was possible or not to do this project, without hiding from anything because I believe a lot in what I do and I know perfectly well everything it contributes to society, in this decade I've spoken with thousands of people, hundreds of schools and dozens of universities and scientific entities, I know what I'm talking about.
I would love to say that we will return, but I don't know, it doesn't depend on us and the procedures with the administrations in this country are anything but fast, we will try not to throw in the towel, I think that is what they are looking for, but I hope to be strong and hold on, to return soon and be able to continue this project to which I have dedicated my whole life at all levels, personal, economic, mental, physical and everything! My life is here and I don't like injustices and I consider that it is.
Pau Fàbregas from LombricesdeCalifornia.com
If you want to send us any comments, whether positive or negative, I will be happy to read them and respond as soon as possible, I love to know and learn about all points of view, whether in my direction or in another.
The story is quite a bit longer, with many things in between but with this, one can get an idea of what we feel.
Thank you very much for all the support, help and affection, we hope to return soon!