The Sustainability and Environment Councillor, Catalina García, accompanied by the Mayor of Adra, Manuel Cortés, has visited the urgent actions being carried out to improve the Albufera de Adra Natural Reserve in Almería. This intervention represents a strong commitment from the Andalusian Government to the conservation of one of the most valuable spaces in the Natura 2000 Network in the province, with a budget close to one million euros (997,673 euros).
During the visit, Catalina García emphasized «the enormous ecological value of the Albufera de Adra, a true natural lung and biodiversity refuge in an environment heavily transformed by intensive agriculture.» In this sense, she stressed that «the actions we are carrying out will allow us to recover old agricultural lands to integrate them into the wetland ecosystem, improve public facilities for bird watching, and reinforce the fencing that protects the fauna from predators.»
The project includes the environmental rehabilitation of a 3.7-hectare area, distributed among six publicly owned plots located in the immediate vicinity of the Honda and Nueva lagoons. These lands, which were previously used for agricultural purposes, are being restored through the removal of exotic and invasive plant species, the removal of rubble, the creation of shelters for fauna and flood areas, all with the aim of facilitating their integration into the marsh ecosystem of the wetland.
The councillor reminded that «we are not dealing with an abandoned space, but quite the opposite, the Andalusian Government cares for it, protects it, and acts on it in a planned and responsible manner.» Catalina García emphasized the need to «address with a comprehensive vision the complex problems affecting the Albufera, such as eutrophication or salinization, which require collaboration between administrations, researchers, farmers, and citizens.»
In addition to environmental restoration, substantial improvements are being made to public facilities, especially bird observatories, both for scientific use and for visitors. The bird observatories of the Nueva and Honda lagoons, as well as the Lorenzo García ornithological station hut and the Biodiversity Tower observatory, are being completely renovated, incorporating the installation of nest boxes for insect-eating birds and pollinators. These enhancements increase the attractiveness of the reserve for nature tourism and also reinforce its scientific and conservation functionality.
A key element of this project is the renovation of the perimeter fencing of the Albufera, severely deteriorated by moisture and salinity. Its improvement will help prevent access by predators such as wild boars, dogs, or cats, which is essential to protect the most vulnerable species living in this enclave, including the Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus), the Mediterranean tree frog (Hyla meridionalis), and the white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), all with varying levels of threat.
The Albufera de Adra has a high level of environmental protection recognized nationally and internationally. Apart from being declared a Natural Reserve by Law 2/1989, they are part of the Ramsar Convention’s List of Wetlands of International Importance since 1994. They have also been designated as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Conservation Area (SCA) under the Habitats Directive, and as a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) under the Birds Directive. These protection figures, along with their integration into the European Ecological Network Natura 2000, underscore their value as an essential enclave for biodiversity conservation.
€51.8 million investment in Almería in 2025
Catalina García stated that «the Junta is acting where it should be: in the territory, listening to experts, addressing real environmental needs, and committing with actions.» In this context, she noted that «the budget of the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment for the province of Almería in 2025 amounts to €51.8 million, demonstrating the firm support of the Andalusian Government for sustainable development in this region.»
On his part, Manuel Cortés thanked the councillor «for the actions carried out in our wetlands,» highlighting «their importance within the ecosystem.» «Our Albufera contributes to biological diversity, mitigates climate change, favors water supply, not forgetting the historical, cultural, and ecological values it holds.» Cortés also stated that «in Adra, we are fortunate to have this place rich in biodiversity, habitat to many species, from amphibians to birds, and it is essential to protect and preserve it,» therefore, he reiterated his recognition to the Junta de Andalucía for «its significant contribution to the maintenance and enhancement of this emblematic spot.»
Other actions in Adra
In addition to the project being carried out in the Albufera, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment has been developing other relevant actions in Adra in terms of conservation, waste, and rural infrastructure improvement. In this regard, €35,822 has been invested in improving the surface and signaling of the livestock paths «Colada de la Marina» and «Colada de las Hoyas del Barranco», actions carried out between 2022 and 2023 that reinforce the role of these paths as ecological corridors and spaces compatible with nature.
Furthermore, in September 2023, the construction of the new Clean Point in the municipality was completed, a key facility for the proper management of domestic waste and to promote a more environmentally conscious recycling culture. This facility had a budget of €621,398.
As part of the Waste Regulations Implementation Support Plan, the Andalusian Government granted the Adra City Council a subsidy of €75,828 aimed at implementing selective collection of domestic biowaste. This aid, corresponding to the 2021 call, was awarded in December 2022.
Likewise, the Solid Urban Waste Management Consortium of the Western Almeria —comprising the municipalities of Adra, Balanegra, Berja, Dalias, El Ejido, La Mojonera, Roquetas de Mar, and Vícar— has received several subsidies totaling €7,199,807. Among them, €1,049,430 was allocated for the implementation of a specific line for the treatment of separately collected biowaste and €4 million for the improvement of mechanical biological treatment facilities, both from the 2021 call. In addition, in the 2023 call, resolved in May 2024, a grant of €715,911 was allocated for the maturation and compost storage shed and a new line for selectively collected waste treatment, as well as another €1,434,466 to implement an automated glass classification system on the refining line.
García positively assessed the scope of these investments, stating that «these actions demonstrate that the commitment of the Andalusian Government to sustainability in Adra is real and translates into specific resources that improve quality of life, preserve the environment, and strengthen the circular economy.»
During the tour of the ongoing works, Catalina García was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Sustainability and the Environment, Sergio Arjona; the Government Delegate of the Junta de Andalucía in Almería, Aránzazu Martín; the Director General of Protected Natural Areas, José Enrique Borrallo; and the Territorial Delegate of Sustainability and the Environment in Almería, Manuel de la Torre, among other attendees.