Restoring Fire-Damaged Forests in Spain: TUI Care Foundation launches new TUI Forest project in Navarra

• Two-year initiative restores 67,000 native trees and strengthens biodiversity protection over 90 hectares of fire affected land in Navarra
• Community engagement programme involves over 1,400 local people in conservation activities
• Project revitalises nature-based tourism for over 400,000 annual visitors

The municipality of Arguedas in Navarra, Spain serves as the natural gateway to the Bardenas Reales Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and popular destination that attracts over 400,000 visitors annually for hiking, cycling, photography and wildlife watching.  The region also hosts the Sendaviva Nature Park, which receives around 170,000 visitors each year, many of whom are school children and families. In July 2022, a catastrophic wildfire destroyed 90% of vegetation across the area. The 862 hectares of forestland and shrubland which were burnt are now at risk of erosion and loss of wildlife habitat, also affecting the lives of around 7,000 local residents. The TUI Care Foundation has partnered with Land Life Company on a 26-month forest restoration project to rehabilitate the land devastated by the wildfire, with the support of the Municipality of Arguedas and the Government of Navarra. 

 TUI Forest Navarra promotes a comprehensive forest restoration focused on improving land management and ecosystem quality. The initiative combines forest and landscape restoration, erosion prevention, the protection of threatened species, and community engagement, helping to strengthen environmental resilience while supporting sustainable tourism in the Bardenas Reales area and the Sendaviva nature park.

The project will restore over 90 hectares of fire-affected land through the assisted natural regeneration of 40 hectares, land clearing and planting of native trees, as part of a comprehensive 320-hectare hydrological and forestry plan. The project will plant 33,930 trees, with an additional 33,000 trees being naturally regenerated, including different native species. Innovative techniques include building wooden barriers to prevent erosion and flooding, and thinning excessive pine density, creating conditions for long-term forest resilience. To support endangered wildlife during the forest recovery period, the project will establish easily accessible nesting sites for lesser kestrels and little owls, alongside insect hotels and artificial water points that support the broader food chain.

More than 1,400 local people will be directly involved through tree planting activities, and ten local people will be employed in the project. Activities include planting sessions organised with students, events engaging elderly community members to share their traditional land management knowledge, and tree planting days with Sendaviva Nature Park. The project will also create nature-based tourism experiences through educational trails with information boards explaining post-fire recovery. The initiative will also co-sponsor the Extreme Bardenas bicycle race, bringing together 1,500 cyclists annually.

TUI Forest Navarra is part of the TUI Care Foundation’s global TUI Forests programme, which is planting trees and taking forest-based experiences to the heart of tourism communities.

 About the TUI Care Foundation

Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities in tourism destinations all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; drives the protection of natural habitats and the marine environment; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation builds on strong partnerships with local and international organisations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The independent charitable organisation was founded by TUI, one of the world’s leading tourism businesses, and is based in the Netherlands.

About Land Life Company

Land Life is a global nature restoration company delivering certified carbon removal and measurable ecosystem outcomes at scale. We work where land cannot recover without human intervention, using science and custom-built, in-house technology to design, implement and verify restoration projects from site selection through to long-term monitoring and carbon issuance. With projects across Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and North America, we have restored over 19,000 hectares across 180+ projects, planted over 16 million trees, and worked with 57+ partners worldwide. Our integrated, nature-first approach is designed to deliver carbon removal alongside biodiversity recovery and long-term value for communities.