The Lurgaia Foundation has been working on ecosystem recovery since its inception in 2002. In this performance, an agreement was signed with several owners of land in the area of Ibarruri, in Muxika, who began to recover the native forest in the area called Undabaso in 2008. “We started with about two hectares, and gradually the project has been growing,” explains Sergio Gallego, a member of the Mazarias Foundation. Currently, the group already manages 115 hectares of land, and a further 48 hectares of land are being collected. Once the goal has been achieved, the Undabaso stand will be the second largest mixed stand in Bizkaia. A treasure that is increasingly taking up space for pines and eucalyptus in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.

Collection in the final tranche

The foundation put in place the plan to avoid further eucalyptus plantations and recover the mixed forest, and has now launched the collection with the same idea. “We don’t just plant oak, we put 35 species. Perhaps oak is the most important, but not the only one.” But how have the lands been made to implement the indigenous forest project in an eminently private environment? The land has been linked to the project in two ways: it has been transferred by some owners, giving the foundation only the possibility of managing it, and other parts have been acquired. “This second form is somehow more ‘safe’ because, regardless of what happens in the future with Lurgaia, land would be for another nature conservation entity.”

In fact, not intending to take economic advantage of the forest is important for its conservation. That is why the money obtained from the proceeds will be used for the purchase of the land. Contributions can be made on the web lurgaia.org: With 25 euros, for example, you can buy a 75 square meter plot. It will be in operation, in principle, until 28 February.

Auzolan plantations

The foundation tries to make plantations with volunteers and in auzolan, as people have the opportunity to know their work this way. “These actions have great value, because citizens see what we do, what and how. In addition, it is a nice way to sensitize and learn to take care of nature.” In any case, not all plantations are carried out with volunteers, because thanks to the support they receive, the members of the foundation and the professionals also work.

Galician has taken the view that citizens are increasingly concerned about forest management, and this shows how the groups are forming in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa on this subject. However, the Administration does not observe the same concern: “Even if it is because of the demand for citizenship, they will also have to start moving at some point. You notice some movement, but not as much as it should.”