Volunteers take action for biodiversity in Calpe. Credit: Calpe Town Hall
The Les Salines wetland is experiencing turbulent times once more: it is increasingly surrounded by towers approved during years of unchecked urban expansion. At the same time, efforts are being made to care for it through tree planting. Paradoxes of the 21st century.
The Calpe Town Hall and the Alicante Renace project joined forces for an ecological restoration day on Saturday November 29, planting 200 trees at Les Salines. The aim is to restore a 10,000 m² area within this wetland, a site of great ecological, cultural and scenic value but under heavy urban pressure. Every small effort counts.
Volunteers take action for biodiversity
Some 200 volunteers participated in the initiative, planting priority protected species such as tetraclinis, along with rosemary and carob trees, native plants essential for the recovery of degraded habitats. Additionally, 1,000 seeds of Mediterranean herbaceous plants were scattered, crucial for increasing ground cover, improving soil retention and boosting biodiversity in an area where human activity and climate significantly affect ecological balance.
The project has received technical and logistical support from the Generalitat Valenciana, with Calpe Town Hall playing a key role in tasks such as irrigating with recycled water to ensure the survival and establishment of the planted species. The initiative also benefited from private support, sponsored by the digital strategy consultancy Wam.
Similar initiatives along the Costa Blanca
Comparable projects are being developed across the Costa Blanca. In Denia, a reforestation programme around the Montgó Natural Park has seen hundreds of native species planted by local volunteers to prevent erosion and support local wildlife. Collaboration between environmental associations and the Town Hall has also allowed the restoration of trails and the creation of natural barriers to protect the forest from urban pressures and climate change.
In Benidorm, the “Urban Green” project has transformed degraded areas near Levante Beach by planting native trees and shrubs, involving schools, local businesses and residents. These efforts not only enhance biodiversity but also raise environmental awareness and provide green recreational spaces in heavily urbanised areas, demonstrating that nature can reclaim ground even amid skyscrapers.