The Lurgaia Foundation, which is responsible for the conservation and management of the natural heritage, has been working since its inception in 2002 to recover its forests. They have now launched the project “Our Forests, Our Future”: The aim is to recover the original forests of Urdaibai. The proceeds to boost the project are already under way.

Native forests instead of pines and eucalyptus

The new project is located in the Undabaso area of the Ibarruri district of Muxika. About 90% of indigenous forests are pine and eucalyptus farms, as explained by Mireia Valle, a worker from Tobar Lurgaia: “A person who went to live in a dwelling there contacted us: he realized that in his lands everything was pine and eucalyptus, and he wanted native trees.” Those affected began to work to buy the land in the area and reach agreements with the owners of it.

Vall explained that in the Urdaibai area there are very few Robledales and that these few are spread throughout the territory. Therefore, the objective of the foundation is not only to cultivate diverse species in favor of biodiversity, but also to give importance to oak: “The recovery of the oak trees is very important, not only to recover our natural heritage, but to combat climate change, reduce erosive processes or improve the quality of our rivers and streams,” said the project leaders.

Collection for land acquisition

Most of the Urdaibai forest grounds are in private hands, so the foundation tries to reach agreements with the owners, and when that is not possible, they buy the land. It is precisely for this that the recovery campaign has been launched: in order to be able to buy land. They lack EUR 18,000 to pay for the first area. The new Convention will add a further 31 hectares to the 26 hectares previously managed, totaling 57 hectares of land. The main objective, however, would be to reach a forest of 100 hectares in the coming years. “When we talk about forest, we talk about a complex ecosystem that needs at least 100 years and 100 hectares. We don't worry about waiting 100 years, we don't have a hurry, we help nature and we don't expect quick results. But we are clear that caring for our forests is going to have a positive impact on our future,” they say. Anyone who wants to do their bit can make their contribution in labur.eus/HP5TQ.