Slide thumbnail
Slide thumbnail

Living Lab Moncayo

The Moncayo is a mycological jewel that treasures a great diversity and uniqueness of mushroom-producing habitats. It has more than 12,000 hectares of pine forests, beech, oak, birch, oak, holm oak, meadows and pastures where we can find species of the most coveted for their socio-economic interest, such as mushrooms, Boletus edulis group, Lactarius deliciosus group, Cantharellus spp, Calocybe gambosa, Amanita caesarea, Craterellus spp, Hygrophorus marzuolus, Morchella spp, Pleurotus eryngii, Marasmius oreades…. In addition to the prized truffles, both the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) and the summer truffle (Tuber aestivum).
Few mountain massifs concentrate such a large number of diversity and quality of fungal species and singularity of habitats in an area so close and accessible to important population centers with a high collecting tradition such as the Basque Country, Navarra, La Rioja and the city of Zaragoza itself, which makes Moncayo one of the areas of Spain with the highest number of fungi and habitats in the world. mycotourism potential. However, its status as a protected area, its discreet size and accessibility limitations make it very necessary that any mycotourism development project in Moncayo be carried out in an orderly, rational and scientifically-technical manner.
In addition to the mycological attractiveness of Moncayo, there is also the interest and collaboration of the local population, which has its own Mycological Association, a mycological museum and mycological conferences. It is necessary to emphasize the historical patrimonial wealth and the hotel capacity of the surroundings of the Moncayo and the gastronomy, with presence of restaurants that offer mycological kitchen of quality.
Therefore, the figure of the Mycological Park can be a tool to take advantage of all the opportunities and synergies of rural development provided by wild mushrooms and contribute to improve the mycological experience while respecting the environment and favoring the local population.
The Mycotour project, promoted by the partners of the European Mycological Institute (EMI), proposes to apply the “Living Labs” methodology by promoting discussion and exchange of best practices in order to jointly create and improve a specific project. In this case, the creation of a Mycological Park that allows to value in a rational way the mycotourism potential of the Moncayo territory and generate new business opportunities for the local population.
For this purpose, the Moncayo Living Lab will have forest managers and owners, rural development agents, mycological associations, chefs and scientists from Aragon and other areas of Spain, France, Italy, UK, Switzerland and Australia with experience in the ecology, management and valorization of mycological resources. During the two intense days of work, round tables, conferences and debates will be held to share success stories in other similar territories and to seek the best recommendations for the Moncayo area in agreement with local agents.

LIVING-LAB MYCOTOUR PROJECT

May 7 and 8, 2024

Towards an international network of Mycotourism Parks (Fungi Friendly Forest):
Presentation of the Mycological Park of Moncayo.

Technical coordination:

Fernando Martínez Peña. Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón; Rubén Escribano Gil de Gómez. Association of Mycological Parks of Aragon (MicoAragon) and Joaquin Latorre Minguell. European Mycological Institute (EMI).

Program. May 7. Free admission until full capacity is reached.

Multipurpose hall of the Town Hall of San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo (Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain).

16:30 h

Inauguration

Manuel Blasco
Councilor of Environment and Tourism. Government of Aragon.
Jacob Ramirez
Mycological Park of Moncayo. President of the Comarca de Tarazona y el Moncayo and Mayor of San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo.

16:45 h

The Mycotour Project: structuring and internationalization of mycotourism in rural areas.

Fernando Martínez Pena
Researcher Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón.

17:00 h

The Network of Mycological Parks of Aragon (www.micoaragon.es): Presentation of the Moncayo Mycological Park
Rubén Escribano Gil de Gómez
Technician Association of Mycological Parks of Aragon (MicoAragon).
Ricardo Forcadell
CEO Qilex. Forestry consultancy, Teruel.

17:30 h

Round table: “The role of forest managers and owners in the creation and operation of Mycological Parks”.
Jacob Ramirez
Mycological Park of Moncayo. President of the Comarca de Tarazona y el Moncayo and Mayor of San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo.
Enrique Arrechea Veramendi
Chief of Forest Planning and Management Service. Government of Aragon.
David Villada
Head of Forestry Promotion Service. Junta de Castilla y León.
Lourdes Andres
President of the Association Montes de Soria. Soria City Council.
Pedro Aparicio
Secretary of the MicoAragón Association. Mayor of Orcajo.

18:15 h

Coffee break

18:30 h

Culinary Hub “Gastronomic potential of Moncayo mushrooms and synergies with local legumes and vegetables“
Nahuel Pazos
Research cook. Basque Culinary Center (BCC-Innovation), San Sebastian.
Cristina Mallor
Researcher at the Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón.
Jean Rondet
CEO. Sens et Territoire, France.
Ana María Ferrer Mairal
Researcher in Food Technology. University of Zaragoza
José Tazueco
Chef of the restaurant Saboya 21, Tarazona.

19:15 h

Round Table: “Contribution of Mycological Associations in the development of Mycotourism Parks”.
Enrique Fernández Villamor
President of the Federation of Mycological Associations of Castilla y León (FAMCAL).
Jose Gerardo Lopez Castillo
President of the Federation of Andalusian Mycological Associations (FAMA).
Jesus Lamata
President of the Mycological Association San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo.
Pedro Blanco
President of the Turolense Mycological Society.
Rafael Blasco
President of the Caesaraugusta Mycological Group.

21:00 h

Mycological dinner at
Saboya 21 Restaurant

(Speakers and invited experts only)

Program. May 8. Morning session for invited speakers and experts only.

9:00 h

Visit to the Mycological Museum and visitor reception center of the Moncayo Mycological Park.
Jesús Lamata and Luis Javier Hernández Bruna
San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo Mycological Association.

9:30 h

La Calera Micodemostrative Area Project
Ricardo Forcadell
CEO Qilex. Forestry consultancy, Teruel.
Adrian Serrano and David Chueca
Atades Gardeniers, Tarazona.

10:00 h

Departure by bus from the town hall of San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo to visit the main mycological habitats of Moncayo. Explanation of the natural environment and climate of Moncayo.
Enrique Arrechea Veramendi
Chief of Forest Planning and Management Service. Government of Aragon.
Miguel Angel Saz
University of Zaragoza.

10:30 h

Visit to the mycological habitat of the beech forest (Fagus sylvatica).
Ricardo Forcadell
CEO Qilex. Forestry consulting.
Ruben Hernandez
Provincial Environmental Service. Government of Aragon.
Javier Marcos Martínez
Mycology teacher and counselor of the Fungalia project.
Jesús Lamata and Luis Javier Hernández Bruna
San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo Mycological Association.

11:30 h

Coffee in Agramonte

12:00 h

Visit to the habitat of Rebollar (Quercus pyrenaica)
Ricardo Forcadell
CEO Qilex. Forestry consulting.
Ruben Hernandez
Provincial Environmental Service. Government of Aragon.
Javier Marcos Martínez
Mycology teacher and counselor of the Fungalia project.
Jesús Lamata and Luis Javier Hernández Bruna
San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo Mycological Association.

13:15 h

Visit to the sylvestris pine (Pinus sylvestris) habitat.
Ricardo Forcadell
CEO Qilex. Forestry consulting.
Ruben Hernandez
Provincial Environmental Service. Government of Aragon.
Javier Marcos Martínez
Mycology teacher and counselor of the Fungalia project.
Jesús Lamata and Luis Javier Hernández Bruna
San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo Mycological Association.

14:30 h

Mycological lunch in the restaurant “El Molino de Berola”, Vera de Moncayo.
(For invited speakers and experts only).

Program. May 8. Afternoon. Free admission until full capacity is reached

Multi-purpose hall of the Town Hall of San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo (Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain)

17:00 h

Conference Session: “The role of science in the management and improvement of mycological parks”.

“The importance of generating and maintaining long-term inventories to improve knowledge and management of mycological resources.”. Ulf Büntgen. Professor at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

“The FUNDIVE project and citizen science for the improvement of knowledge about mycological biodiversity”. Sergio de Miguel Magaña. University of Lleida-Center of Forest Science and Technology of Catalonia.

“The impact of climate change on mycological resources: the “a por mushrooms” project”. Cristina Aponte. CIFOR-INIA, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid.

17:45 h

Round table: “Marketing, communication, mycotourism innovation and internationalization of Mycological Parks”.
Joaquin Latorre Minguell
Researcher and Secretary General of the European Mycological Institute (EMI).
Yolanda Santos
Councilor of Tourism. Soria City Council.
Nuria Mignone
European projects Manager Piedmont Region. Italy.
Jérôme Sauveplane
Councillor for the environment, fairs and markets of the City of Vigan, France.
Bin Wang
CEO Golden Truffles. Australia-China.

18:30 h

Coffee

19:00 h – 20:30 h

Debate on the evaluation of Fungi Friendly Forest criteria and proposals for the start-up and improvement of the Moncayo Mycological Park with the participation of invited experts and members of the Scientific Committee of the European Mycological Institute (EMI).
Alexis Guerin-Laguette
Secretary of the EMI Scientific Committee. New Zealand (online).
Fernando Martínez Pena
Center for Agrifood Research and Technology of Aragon.
Beatriz de la Parra
ECM Environmental Engineering.
Sebastian Diette
Alcina, Montpellier, France.

20:30 h

Closing
Jacob Ramirez
Mycological Park of Moncayo. President of the Comarca de Tarazona y el Moncayo and Mayor of San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo.

Expert participants: forest managers and owners of Mycological Parks, mycological associations, mycological companies, rural development agents, mycological restaurants and international scientists.

    1. Alexis Guerin-Laguette. Secretary of the EMI Scientific Committee. New Zealand (online).
    2. Alexandra Falba. Gastronomy and art direction. Montpellier. France.
    3. Ana María Ferrer Mairal. Researcher in Food Technology. University of Zaragoza.
    4. Antonio Moliné. Treasurer of the Mycological Association of Campo. Huesca.
    5. Beatriz de la Parra. CEO ECM Environmental Engineering. Avila.
    6. Bin Wang. CEO Golden Truffles. Australia-China.
    7. Cristina Aponte. CIFOR-INIA, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid.
    8. Cristina Mallor. Researcher at the Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón.
    9. David Villada. Head of Forestry Promotion Service. Junta de Castilla y León.
    10. Enrique Arrechea Veramendi. Chief of Forest Planning and Management Service. Government of Aragon.
    11. Enrique Fernández Villamor. President of the Federación Castellano Leonesa de Asociaciones Micológicas (FAMCAL).
    12. Fernando Guillén. Head of Agricultural Services. Provincial Council of Teruel.
    13. Fernando Martínez Peña. Researcher at the Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón.
    14. Isabel Doñate. Association of Truffle Growers of Teruel (ATRUTER).
    15. Jacob Ramirez. Mycological Park of Moncayo. President of the Comarca de Tarazona y el Moncayo and Mayor of San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo.
    16. Jaime Carrasco Carrasco. Regional Institute for Agrifood and Forestry Research and Development of Castilla-La Mancha.
    17. Javier Marcos. Professor of the course “Mycological Counselor”. Fungalia Project.
    18. Jean Rondet. CEO. Sens et Territoire, France.
    19. Jérôme Sauveplane. Viganés Mycological Territory. Deputy Councilor to the Mayor of the City of Vigan, France.
    20. Jesús Lamata. President of the Mycological Association San Martín de la Virgen del Moncayo.
    21. Joaquin Latorre Minguell. European Mycological Institute (EMI).
    22. Joris Masafont. Charte forestière Sud Cévennes, France.
    23. José Gerardo López Castillo. President of the Andalusian Federation of Mycological Associations (FAMA).
    24. José Tazueco. Chef of the restaurant Saboya21, Tarazona.
    25. José Antonio Lucas. Head of the Territorial Service of Environment of Soria. Junta de Castilla y León.
    26. Lourdes Andrés. President of the Association Montes de Soria. Soria City Council.
    27. Luis Javier Hernández Bruna. Mycological Association of San Martín de la Virgen de Moncayo.
    28. María Martín Santafé. Researcher at CITA. Government of Aragon.
    29. Martín de Luis. Department of Geography and Land Management. University of Zaragoza.
    30. Miguel Angel Navarro. Deputy of Agriculture. Provincial Council of Teruel.
    31. Miguel Angel Saz. Department of Geography and Land Management. University of Zaragoza.
    32. Miguel Gimeno. Sylvesterra Collectors Association (Teruel) and CEO Cesta y Setas, Valencia.
    33. Nahuel Pazos. Research cook. Basque Culinary Center (BCC-Innovation), San Sebastian.
    34. Nuria Mignone. European projects Manager Piedmont Region. Italy.
    35. Pedro Aparicio. Secretary of the MicoAragón Association. Mayor of Orcajo (Zaragoza).
    36. Pedro Blanco. President of the Turolense Mycological Society.
    37. Rafael Blasco. President of the Caesaraugusta Mycological Group.
    38. Ricardo Forcadell. CEO Qilex. Forestry consulting.
    39. Roberto Serrano Notivoli. Department of Geography and Land Management. University of Zaragoza.
    40. Rubén Escribano Gil de Gómez. Technician Association of Mycological Parks of Aragon (MicoAragon).
    41. Rubén Hernádez. Territorial Service of Environment of Zaragoza. Government of Aragon.
    42. Sebastien Diette. CEO of Alcina, Montpellier, France.
    43. Sergio de Miguel Magaña. Center of Forest Science and Technology of Catalonia-University of Lérida.
    44. Simon Egli. Former Researcher at the Swiss Forest Research Institute (WSL).
    45. Ulf Büntgen. Professor at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
    46. Victoria Ruiz Medrano. University of Valladolid.
    47. Yolanda Santos. Councilor of Tourism. Soria City Council.

Administrative coordination

Management and scientific advice

Participation

Financing

Administrative coordination

Management and scientific advice

Participation

Financing