Rewilding Spain has signed its first agreement to protect an old-growth forest in the Iberian Highlands. A change in forest management will support natural regeneration, delivering benefits to both nature and people. With other owners of old-growth forests interested in signing similar agreements, there is significant scaling-up potential.
A herd of 16 Przewalski’s horses has just arrived in the Iberian Highlands rewilding landscape in Spain. Together with 10 horses transported to the area in May, they will soon be released to roam free across 5,700 hectares of public forest, delivering benefits for wild nature and local communities.
The vast and sparsely populated Iberian Highlands became Rewilding Europe’s tenth rewilding landscape in 2022. Enabling wild nature to recover here could transform the outlook for local communities.
In May, a herd of 10 Przewalski’s horses arrived in Spain’s Iberian Highlands. Pablo Villa, who manages the herd as member of the Rewilding Spain team, reflects on the joy of his new role, and the beneficial presence of this majestic animal in the rewilding landscape.
Enhancing natural grazing, a key component of rewilding, can deliver multiple benefits. The arrival of a second herd of Tauros in the Iberian Highlands rewilding landscape in Spain is therefore good news for people and wildlife.
With significant experience in African conservation, Rewilding Spain team leader Pablo Schapira is the ideal person to take rewilding forwards in the Iberian Highlands.
Wild nature has the potential to provide valuable jobs and income for people in and around the Iberian Highlands rewilding landscape. In 2023, Rewilding Spain will take steps to enhance nature-based tourism in the area.
In the Iberian Highlands rewilding landscape in Spain, the local rewilding team are working to reintroduce wild and semi-wild herbivores. By enhancing natural grazing, this is increasing biodiversity, reducing wildfire risk, and helping to regenerate natural forest.
Officially launched today in the spectacular surroundings of the medieval Spanish city of Cuenca, the Iberian Highlands Rewilding Landscape marks a major milestone for Rewilding Europe, adding a further 850,000 hectares of land to help upscale rewilding efforts across Europe.