45,000 Square Meters Restored in Valle Grande

The intervention, proposed by the Tourism Department and funded by the EU Next Generation EU programme “Fuerte por Naturaleza”, has rehabilitated 45,000 m² of rural‑identity landscape in the Protected Natural Landscape of Valle Grande during its first month of work.

Background

The sustainable‑rehabilitation project is part of the “Fuerte por Naturaleza” programme, led by the Tourism, Economic Development, Ecological Transition, Environmental Sustainability and Safety Department of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura. It is financed through the Next Generation EU funds and targets the municipality of La Oliva.

“Both actions are part of the island corporation’s line of work to protect our territory and our landscape. They aim to restore the original state of the agricultural landscape and traditional farming systems such as the gavias, elements that belong to Fuerteventura’s identity and are essential for water use,” – Lola García, President of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura.

“With this intervention in La Oliva, which adds to the work already carried out in Vallebrón, we recover and enhance the landscapes that define us as Majoreros and present us abroad as an authentic and unique destination,” – Marlene Figueroa, Tourism Minister.

Progress in the First Month

• Total area treated: 45,000 m²
• Gavias (traditional water‑catching channels) restored and ready for cultivation: 1,500 m²
• Areas cleaned and cleared of vegetation: 29,000 m²
• Dry‑stone walls rehabilitated: 400 linear m

These activities covered 11 cadastral parcels out of the 36 parcels included in the project, using manual methods. Heavy machinery (e.g., backhoe loaders) will be introduced soon to address zones that cannot be treated manually.

Funding and Scope

• Budget: Over €255,000, allocated under Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, financed by the EU Next Generation EU funds.
• Total surface under the programme: Approximately 277,000 m² across 36 parcels.
• Implementing body: The Cabildo’s own unit, Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Medioambiental (Gesplan).

Objectives

The main goal is to preserve and improve the natural environment of Valle Grande by employing traditional landscape‑restoration techniques, focusing on:

• Restoration of dry‑stone walls.
• Rehabilitation of gavias for rain‑water capture.
• Sustainable landscape recovery that enhances water retention and local biodiversity.

Planned Interventions

• Cleaning and repairing stone walls.
• Restoring gavias to improve rain‑water harvesting.
• Using sustainable techniques to revive the landscape.
• Removing elements that do not belong to the natural environment.