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Few things encapsulate and symbolise life and the future as much as a seed. And a seed that has been able to step through time and remain where it was planted, as one in the Canary Islands has, holds the key to its own small miracle of resilience. https://userscloud.com/pbgg8ntnf0a2 In the past, barley was an important crop in Gran Canaria, and research has revealed that seeds from the same plant grown today are identical to those used by the island’s prehispanic inhabitants a thousand years ago. The same can be said of many other plants on the island, as the same genetic fingerprints have remained unchanged throughout its history.For example, the same species of hibiscus and bougainvillea that have delighted tourists and locals with their colourful flowers are the same ones that have been preserved by the island’s indigenous people in caves on the cliff edges. These plants were not only gathered as wild food but also served as ceremonial objects. They were also stored for a long period of time to ensure their preservation, as these caves offer ideal conditions for storage, despite the fact that the lava-based bedrock is porous and susceptible to erosion.The ancestors of the Canary Islands’ inhabitants also kept the flame alive for traditions that might have been lost in the mists of time, like the way they made pottery using clay from the island’s mid-lands and peaks. They also collected and preserved seeds, a practice that was very common in the past. It was even a legal requirement for farmers to collect and deposit their crops’ seeds.Today, seeds still play a vital role on the island and its natural heritage. In the last few years, the agronomic department of the Canary Islands government has consolidated a database that contains over 4 million specimens of native plants. This is an important tool for the conservation and sustainable development of the Canarian flora.The same is true of the island’s endemic wildlife. The Canary Islands are a refuge for many species that are endangered in mainland Europe, and the Canary Islands’ ecosystem is also home to several species of birds that have migrated from Africa to live here. But the savannah-like landscape, dry climate and intense winds are a challenge for all of them.It is therefore essential to protect the natural habitats of these species and to take measures to ensure that they can survive. One of these measures involves creating and managing protected areas. Another is reducing the amount of agricultural and urban development on the island. A third is making better use of the island’s water resources.