Credits: Neil Aldrige – Rewilding Europe
Partner Organisation: Rewilding Spain (Fundación Española de Renaturalización)
Location: Spain
Rewilding Spain is a pioneering organisation dedicated to the restoration of natural ecosystems and the revitalisation of rural communities across Spain. By promoting a progressive approach to conservation, they aim to reestablish natural processes and species, fostering healthier and more biodiverse landscapes.
Credits: Juan Carlos Muñoz – Rewilding Europe
Focus on the Iberian Highlands
One of Rewilding Spain’s flagship initiatives is centred in the Iberian Highlands, a rugged mountain chain characterised by high plateaus, pine, oak, and juniper forests, as well as dramatic river canyons. This area has experienced significant rural abandonment, leading to opportunities for large-scale ecological restoration. Efforts in this region include the reintroduction of native species such as Tauros, Serrano and Pottoka horses, Przewalski horses, Cinereous vulture, bearded vulture as well as the promotion of natural grazing systems to restore ecological balance.
Credits: Juan Carlos Muñoz – Rewilding Europe
The sparsely populated Iberian Highlands houses dynamic and diverse habitats that have become a sanctuary for a wide range of species, including thriving populations of raptors such as Bonelli’s eagle, peregrine falcon and the eagle owl. The area has seen the comeback of deer, wild boar, mouflon, small groups of Iberian ibex and others; but the top predators – the Iberian lynx, Iberian wolf and Brown Bear – remain absent from the slopes. This is where Rewilding Spain come in; their mission is for people to thrive in these rural areas, alongside the returning nature.
Credits: Lidia Valverde – Rewilding Spain
Community Engagement and Economic Revitalisation
Rewilding Spain places a strong emphasis on collaborating with local communities to ensure that ecological restoration goes hand-in-hand with socio-economic benefits. Fostering nature-based tourism and sustainable land management practices, they aim to create new opportunities for rural development, thereby addressing issues of rural abandonment and economic decline. 90% of their staff are from the local areas they work in.
A group of visitors watching the herd of Pottoka horses. Credits: Lidia Valverde – Rewilding Spain
Recent Milestones
Since they first started in 2020, Rewilding Spain has already celebrated various milestones.
- They have recently released 4 Black Vultures (for a total of 21).
- They are supporting a dozen local companies working in ecotourism, environmental education and nature-based entrepreneurship in the development of their businesses.
- The first Horse offspring were born from the Przewalski herd in Villanueva de Alcorón adding to the the biggest herd in southern Europe.
- Tauros were also born in Mazarete, a sign of good adaptation to the territories.
Credits: Staffan Widstrand – Rewilding Europe
- A network of old-growth forests is being created in partnership with local landowners to allow the recovery of ecological processes, boost biodiversity and contribute to carbon sequestration.
- And, in a significant move to bolster conservation efforts, the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha acquired a 1,000-hectare estate within the Alto Tajo Natural Park. This land purchase aims to enhance biodiversity conservation and support rewilding initiatives in the area.
- More than 400 primary school students take part every year in ‘Rewilding Educa’ education programme.
- A Volunteer Programme is available since 2024 for people eager to learn and contribute to the rewilding movement in Spain.
We are delighted to welcome Rewilding Spain as one of our new Alliance Partners.
Learn more about their work on their website.
For a closer look at their impactful work, watch the documentary “Breathing New Life Into The Iberian Highlands”.
Credits: Ricardo Rubio – Rewilding Spain