My name is Ernesto Montoya, and I am a communicator specialising in natural and historical heritage.
I studied Applied Arts in Sculpture at the School of Arts in Seville and later completed higher studies in Graphic Design at the School of Arts in Granada.
I also received PIT training in the development of electronic platforms for the presentation of environmental engineering projects, and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Archaeology at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.
I lead the outreach project Vieja Tierra on social media, where I explore topics related to nature, history, archaeology, heritage, music, and ethnography.
I was born and raised in a deeply rural environment, with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails. Vieja Tierra emerged from the need to understand my land in depth and share that knowledge with others.
I believe there is still a great lack of understanding about rural areas, even among the people who live in them. Villages and rural communities are often viewed through an exotic or idealised lens, when they are complex territories shaped by history, biodiversity, and social transformation.
Presenting nature and historical heritage from a scientific perspective helps people better understand the territory they inhabit, develop a sense of belonging, and ultimately contribute to its protection.
Fortunately for the natural environment, Extremadura did not undergo an especially aggressive industrialisation process that significantly destroyed its ecosystems.
As a result, the region has become a key refuge for thousands of animal species, including the Iberian lynx, the genet, mustelids such as the European badger and the stone marten, as well as emblematic birds like the Spanish imperial eagle, Montagu’s harrier, Bonelli’s eagle, and the thousands of cranes that spend the winter in these lands every year.
This natural paradise is what drives me to carry out educational and outreach work focused on the conservation and protection of the natural spaces that make life possible. It also motivates me to promote greater awareness of the need to maintain a balance between human activity and the environment.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vieja_tierra/
