Asturies reclaims biodiversity after industrial past
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In the Asturies region of Spain, people are working to restore nature in areas previously dominated by industry.
The city of Gijon revitalized the Río Pilon river by removing concrete structures and replanting native trees and shrubs along its banks. This work created new habitats, attracting ducks, herons, and even bringing a potable water source back to the area.
Fifty kilometers away in Avilés, the Association de conservation de la nature is protecting the last remaining dunes in the industrial estuary. They have observed the return of rare plants and mollusks, as well as birds like herons and terns, to this preserved space. Despite these positive developments, Spain still faces challenges with habitat conservation, with only 9 percent of habitats of community interest in good condition.
To address this, Spain submitted a national plan to the European Commission aiming to restore nearly 9,500 square kilometers of degraded habitat by 2030.
