A day for planting
Ecological regeneration of different areas around the province underway
INITIATIVES have been taking place around Alicante province to mark regional tree day, which is January 31.
In Torrevieja more than 600 pupils from 14 schools in the municipality took part.
They have been adding to the woodland which has been created above La Mata cemetery, close to the border fence of La Mata-Torrevieja natural park.
A town hall spokesman reported that 800 native species of flora were planted on Tuesday and Wednesday including kermes oak, mastic, common juniper, dwarf fan palms, black hawthorn, pines and carob trees, as well as aromatic herbs such as lavender and rosemary.
He described it as one of the largest reforestation projects to take place in the area in recent times.
It will convert the area into one of the most important plantations in the Valencia region, he claimed.
The school pupils were given talks last week about the ecological regeneration of this area which lies between the natural park and the N-332 road.
They were supervised by natural park staff as they carried out the planting – also assisted by Torrevieja mayor Eduardo Dolón.
The spokesman noted that workers from municipal water
company Agamed had carried out the preparatory digging work at the site, set up irrigation and provided protectors to allow the saplings to survive.
The Leroy Merlín store provided spades, buckets and gloves for the initiative.
Sr Dolón said it was important for young people to participate in these events ‘so that they get to know the environmental values that new generations should have’.
Villajoyosa celebrated on Sunday by organising a day out in the foothills of La Robella during which more than 300 trees were planted.
The council environment department initiative brought together more than 50 families who took part in this event to reforest an old municipal landfill site.
Town hall parks and gardens staff also collaborated by providing tools, irrigation and giving advice on the correct way to plant the trees and bushes, as well as explaining the characteristics of the species and the care they need to fully develop in the environment.
The flora included Aleppo pine, Mediterranean stone pine, kermes oak, rosemary, esparto grass and sandarac.
As well as the 300 specimens planted in La Robella, another 100 trees will be planted later for education purposes in collaboration with the municipality’s schools.
More on planting initiatives on page 28.