Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2026

End date:

2028

Duration:

18/02/2026 - 01/08/2027

Total budget:

2.000.000 €

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

1.700.000 €

• To reduce the risk of forest fires and restore biodiversity in the rustic soil of the midlands of Tenerife through the management of vegetable fuel, the implementation of measures to promote biodiversity and the recovery of abandoned land and agricultural and livestock activity.
• Support property owners and municipalities in self-protection against fires. Reduce plant biomass in at-risk areas through cleaning with crews and grazing. Restore habitats by reforesting with native species, eliminating invasive exotics, and implementing measures to favor the presence of wildlife. Activate the use of abandoned land through the Island Land Bank and grazing.

Project aimed at the prevention of forest fires and the ecological restoration of the midlands, through direct technical actions, training, advice and citizen participation. Intervention is carried out on private and municipal farms through collaboration agreements, promoting self-protection, sustainable use of the territory and biodiversity. The Island Land Bank, prescribed grazing and plant waste management through shredding are key tools. Priority is given to areas of high risk of fire, but action is taken throughout the island except in non-compatible municipalities.

The project deploys a comprehensive strategy in the midlands of Tenerife, combining fire prevention, ecological restoration and recovery of disused land. The actions are adapted to each municipality and farm according to technical and environmental criteria. Planning, technical coordination and monitoring. All actions are coordinated with the town councils, environmental agents and technical staff of the Cabildo.

• In collaboration with the municipalities and through agreements with at least 250 owners, the execution of self-protection interventions will be carried out, an initial report will be prepared with the required actions (pruning, shoring, clearing…) in a 15 m strip around homes and evacuation routes and a final report with the indications of periodic maintenance that the owner must assume.
• It is planned to carry out at least 1,000 free shredding services for plant remains, using mobile bio-shredders and brushcutters operated by a crew. This will reduce the risk of fires and encourage the use of agricultural and livestock waste.
• Goat/sheep herds will be used to remove biomass from 50,000 m² of plots in abandoned crop areas.
• Permits will be managed, farmers will be contacted through AGATE and in coordination with agents of the Environment, municipalities and Local Police, a plot will be enabled for stables.
• A grazing guide will be developed and, if necessary, electric shepherds will be used.
• Vulnerable population centres will be identified and at least 50 talks and interpretive routes will be organised to train residents on self-protection measures.
• In addition, owners interested in repopulating 10,000 m² with native flora will be contacted; they are provided with plants from the nursery of La Tahonilla and training on their maintenance.
• 300 wildlife structures will be distributed and 75 agreements between landowners and claimants will be formalized through a database and website.