Action projects: exploratory phase
ARBA Vega Baja is launching its work in the region with a clear vision: we are not simply seeking to plant trees, but to restore the health of our land, plot by plot, on a permanent basis. In this establishment phase, we are setting out our first major founding objective: to identify areas with high potential for ecological restoration.
What kind of areas are we looking for?
Depending on the objective, we have created categories of land, for each of which we have identified examples. We’d love it if you could help us find specific examples!
Degraded land and hillsides
Description: areas with scarce vegetation cover. The lack of roots and structure-giving life leads to soil loss through erosion.
Objectives: to curb erosion by planting native shrubs. To create ‘living soil’ and stimulate natural biological succession.
Examples: land plots near the Pedrera reservoir, southern slopes of Cabezo de Hurchillo and Sierra de Cristo.
Pine forests affected by the drought
Description: reforested areas with high mortality rates following droughts such as that of 2023–2024.
Objectives: to increase biodiversity and resilience to future droughts by introducing native species into the clearings.
Examples: pine woods of Sierra Escalona, Guardamar and Sierra de Orihuela.
"Ramblas" and riverbeds
Description: ecosystems with water availability, but which are often degraded or invaded by non-native species.
Objectives: to restore riparian vegetation in order to create corridors of high ecological value that link up areas in good condition.
Examples: Río Seco, Cañada del Espartal and Rambla Alcoriza
Spaces on the urban periphery
Description: plots of land near built-up areas, which are occasionally derelict and used as dumping grounds, or overrun by invasive plants.
Objectives: to transform them into transitional spaces that provide a breath of fresh air, healthy leisure activities and raise environmental awareness amongst local residents.
Examples: Vía Verde of the Torretas in Torrevieja.
Agricultural boundaries and perimeters
Description: the edges of agricultural holdings (ideally organic), which are usually bare and fragment the landscape.
Objectives: to plant hedges of native flora that provide shelter for pollinators and birds, linking up the agricultural landscape and helping with natural pest control.
Examples: organic citrus crops in the municipality of Orihuela, vegetables in Pilar de la Horadada, Almoradí and Dolores.
A comprehensive process, from paper to forest
This area identification phase is only the starting point for a process designed to ensure that every hour invested and every euro spent yields lasting and sustainable results over time.
You can check our working methodology in the section What we do / Our methodology. Some of the most important points to assess in each of the identified areas are as follows:
- Legal certainty and ownership: verification of land ownership and the necessary permits. The timeframe during which the development will be protected is particularly important.
- Environmental assessment: analysis of the area’s current ecological status, including soil type, topography, microclimate and natural water availability, in order to assess which habitats can be restored in the short and long term.
- Technical study: assessment of the most suitable restoration techniques, access routes, any earthworks that may be required and the availability of irrigation water, whilst estimating the total effort required.
- Stakeholders: identifying public institutions, businesses, associations, communities and local populations with potential interests in the area to be restored, with a view to anticipating the need for consensus and collaboration.
In this process, we are supported by the ARBA infrastructure, as well as by other collaborating organisations, such as the University of Alicante through its platform RENATUREM Sur de Alicante, which provide us with their scientific knowledge and practical experience.
What are you waiting for?
No one knows the nooks and crannies of the Vega Baja better than those who live there. We’d like to invite you to play an active part in this phase of exploration. If you know a candidate plot of land that, in your opinion, has the potential for transformation, we want to know.
Send us your suggestions in our contact form below. They will be included in our initial list, which we will use as a basis for applying our criteria to decide where it is most feasible and urgent to take action.