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According to the entity, the disease of graphiosis and the degradation of riverside habitats have caused the virtual disappearance of adult specimens of common elm (Ulmus minor) from the rivers of the upper Tagus basin. This fact motivated that, in 1986, ICONA began the Spanish program to obtain adult specimens resistant to graphiosis, currently obtaining 7 genotypes that tolerate it. With the introduction of these resistant seedlings into the natural environment, the aim is to raise awareness of the importance of conserving an ecosystem as mistreated as riparian forests, also providing them with valuable ecosystem functions such as self-regulation in flood episodes or increasing their biodiversity. Finally, according to the entity, it will contribute to the conservation of this native species highly valued and loved in popular culture.

The main objective has been to recover the ecological and cultural importance that the native common elm (Ulmus minor) has had throughout history in the upper basin of the Tagus River:

The specific objectives are as follows:

• To increase the biodiversity of the riparian forests of the upper Tagus River basin by reforesting with native common elm (Ulmus minor) resistant to graphiosis.
• To raise awareness of the causes and serious consequences that graphiosis has caused in the populations of native common elm (Ulmus minor) and to stress the importance of recovering this species.
• Encourage the rooting of the common elm (Ulmus minor).

• Reforestation of riparian forests.
• Volunteering and citizen participation.
• Dissemination and awareness.
• Dissemination and publicity.

Within the framework of the project, the entity ASOCIACIÓN NACIONAL MICORRIZA, has reforested more than 8 hectares of native riparian forest in the upper basin of the Tagus River with the planting of 400 elms resistant to graphiosis and 1200 individuals of other species, also with the participation of more than 125 people in volunteer and awareness activities.