TUI Forest Navarra

The July 2022 wildfire devastated over 2,000 hectares in Arguedas, bordering the Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve. The fire affected 7,000 residents across three villages, burning 90% of the vegetation, and leaving 862 hectares of forestland at risk of erosion and lost habitat. The devastation resulted in abandoned agricultural land, accelerated soil erosion exposing bare rock, disruption of wildlife habitats, and loss of livelihoods. The remaining bare soil accelerates desertification and increases the risk of flooding for the 2,400 residents in the downstream village of Arguedas. The devastation has particularly impacted tourism appeal in the Bardenas Reales and Sendaviva Nature Parks.

TUI Forest Navarra implements comprehensive forest restoration to address desertification, flooding, ecological degradation, and rural abandonment. The design of the forest restoration and protection approach was developed with the Municipality of Arguedas and regional government, receiving formal legal authorisation and land access agreements.

The project plants 33,930 trees, with an additional 33,000 trees being naturally regenerated, including different native species.  Naturally regenerating pine trees are professionally thinned out to avoid an overcrowded forest which presents a high fire risk. This natural recovery approach results in a healthier forest density, allowing trees proper space for water, nutrients, and light, whilst enabling wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses to grow beneath the trees.

Water management improvements protect the forest through the construction of small wooden dams in creek floors to slow water flow during heavy rains and help prevent flooding in downstream Arguedas. Alongside this, dead fire-damaged trees will be shredded and removed, to improve the landscape and soil quality and reduce risk of recurrent fires.

The restoration area is home to multiple endangered species, like the lesser kestrel and the eagle owl. To ensure they can continue to access proper nesting areas and find prey, which have also been affected by the fire, the project puts in place man-made temporary nesting areas and invests in initiatives that see their food chains maintained.

Local communities are directly involved through employment and tree planting. Ten people are hired from the local community, with priority going to unemployed women and young people. Two planting sessions for 200 students take place annually to coincide with International Forest Day. Two events engage 200-300 elderly community members, facilitating sharing of traditional land management knowledge. Tree planting days with Sendaviva Nature Park also involve approximately 250 participants annually.

TUI Forest Navarra also creates nature-based tourism experiences through educational trails with information boards explaining post-fire recovery. The project co-sponsors the Extreme Bardenas bicycle race, bringing together 1,500 cyclists annually. Thirty shade trees are also planted in tourist areas with information signs explaining the project.

Overall, the project directly benefits 1,410 people, through employment and engagement in project activities, and indirectly benefits more than 2,000 citizens of Arguedas and 415,000 annual visitors.

Land Life is a mission-driven, nature restoration company that plants native trees to help restore the world’s five billion acres of degraded land. Its mission is to restore ecosystems at scale using innovative, technology-driven methods. Land Life uses data, drones, and remote sensing to monitor and manage large-scale reforestation projects, aiming to fight climate change, improve biodiversity, and support local communities. The organisation’s work spans multiple continents, including projects in Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas.