Finches were vital to the formulation of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. The size and shape of their beaks, highly suited to eating different types of seeds, helped him understand how an animal evolves to adapt to the ecological conditions of its ecosystem. The Galapagos Islands were an ideal laboratory for Darwin, but there was something he overlooked: was it only the finches that had evolved or had the seeds of the plants they fed on evolved a little too?

On the occasion of World Environment Day, at CREAF we reveal which forest species represents us. About a month ago, with the aim of de-pixelating the famous tree in our logo, we launched an internal vote among CREAF workers, asking which species they think represents us and the values they would highlight. The winner, with an overwhelming 70% of the votes, is the holm oak.

The General Assembly of the European Bird Census Council (EBCC) has elected CREAF researcher and scientific director of the Institut Català d'Ornitologia Sergi Herrando as its new vice-president, replacing Verena Keller. The organisation has also confirmed Keller as president, taking over from Mark Eaton.