Altiplano Ecosystem Restoration

About the Project

Murcia is home to one of the most arid and inhospitable ecosystems in the Iberian Peninsula. On a plot of land known as La Junquera, Camp Altiplano was established in 2017 as an ecosystem restoration camp. Its goal is to create a healthy and resilient environment through the application of regenerative practices. Over time, it has evolved into an educational and agricultural project that not only focuses on restoring the local ecosystem but also provides education and training within a context of experimentation and learning.

Restoring Life in One of Spain’s Harshest Landscapes

Between October 2021 and May 2022, a reforestation effort was carried out, covering 12 hectares and 6 kilometers of field boundaries and ditches, with the planting of 10,000 native plants. DesertLeaves participated during the second phase of the project (January–May 2022), offering technical and legal guidance, as well as financial support.

Success Through Regenerative Practices and Biodiversity

Despite a slightly drier-than-average start, the planting was successful, thanks to effective practices such as grazing control and early-stage irrigation, when vegetation is at its most vulnerable. The project consistently aimed to establish a rich and resilient ecosystem, resulting in an unusually diverse selection of plant species to maximize benefits for local fauna.

In addition to Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and holm oak (Quercus ilex), other species planted include :

• Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
• Prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus)
• Wild olive (Olea europaea)
• White willow (Salix alba)

In total, 17 different plant species were introduced, laying the foundation for a future forest capable of sustaining a complex and resilient ecosystem.