New Forests being created across Spain and Rhodes Islands to restore tree covers on fire razed areas

There is a new forest being created around the Panagia Ypseni Monastery on the Islands in the southeastern Aegean Sea featuring nearly 4000 trees.

Following the devastating forest fires on Rhodes in the summer of 2023, a new habitat for nature and biodiversity is being created around the Panagia Ypseni Monastery.

As part of the new TUI Forest Rhodes project, new trees and plants are being planted across a total area of 80,000 square metres to regenerate the landscape, which was severely damaged by the fire.

The project is funded by the TUI Care Foundation with support from TUI staff, the Rhodes Co-Lab and donations from TUI guests.

The TUI Group is a leading global tourism group keen on conservation and headquartered in Germany. 

The Greek Orthodox monastery of Panagia Ypseni is one of the places that was particularly hard hit by the fires.

The surrounding vegetation was almost completely destroyed.

Today, the monastery is at the heart of the reforestation efforts and symbolises a new beginning for the region.

Together with local partners, olive, carob, cypress and cedar trees are being planted there.

The selected species are intended to strengthen the resilience of the ecosystem whilst creating new habitats for flora and fauna.

“The TUI Forest on Rhodes combines nature conservation with a long-term commitment to the region. The aim is to support the natural regeneration of the landscape and make a sustainable contribution to the preservation of biodiversity on Rhodes,” says TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel.

The project demonstrates how joint action by local stakeholders, organisations and supporters can help to strengthen areas affected by the consequences of extreme natural events in the long term and preserve them for future generations.

The TUI Forest on Rhodes is part of the Rhodes Co-Lab, a joint initiative between the South Aegean Region and the TUI Group aimed at promoting more sustainable tourism on Rhodes.

The reforestation area is situated in the immediate vicinity of a nature reserve and plays a key role in restoring habitats for numerous animal species.

A total of 3,060 trees will be planted, including 2,000 olive trees, 500 carob trees, 500 cypresses and 60 zitia trees.

In addition, a modern irrigation and fire protection infrastructure is being developed, along with an education and information centre funded by the South Aegean Regional Government, which will in future bring together environmental education, voluntary work and visitor programmes.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the project also creates tangible social and economic opportunities for the region.

The restoration of these areas helps to reduce soil erosion, promote biodiversity and strengthen the landscape’s resilience to future fires.

At the same time, around 45 jobs are being created or safeguarded, whilst the local population gains a long-term source of income through the management of the new olive groves.

Together with the local project partner Gia Ti Fisi and numerous volunteers, TUI Forest Rhodes also aims to offer visitors the opportunity to actively experience the island’s natural environment and get involved in its protection themselves.

Spain

The municipality of Arguedas in Navarra, Spain serves as the natural gateway to the Bardenas Reales Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and popular destination that attracts over 400,000 visitors annually for hiking, cycling, photography and wildlife watching.  

The region also hosts the Sendaviva Nature Park, which receives around 170,000 visitors each year, many of whom are school children and families. 

In July 2022, a catastrophic wildfire destroyed 90 percent of vegetation across the area. The 862 hectares of forestland and shrubland which were burnt are now at risk of erosion and loss of wildlife habitat, also affecting the lives of around 7,000 local residents.

The TUI Care Foundation has partnered with Land Life Company on a 26-month forest restoration project to rehabilitate the land devastated by the wildfire, with the support of the Municipality of Arguedas and the Government of Navarra. 

TUI Forest Navarra promotes a comprehensive forest restoration focused on improving land management and ecosystem quality.

The initiative combines forest and landscape restoration, erosion prevention, the protection of threatened species, and community engagement, helping to strengthen environmental resilience while supporting sustainable tourism in the Bardenas Reales area and the Sendaviva nature park.  

The project will restore over 90 hectares of fire-affected land through the assisted natural regeneration of 40 hectares, land clearing and planting of native trees, as part of a comprehensive 320-hectare hydrological and forestry plan. The project will plant 33,930 trees, with an additional 33,000 trees being naturally regenerated, including different native species. 

Innovative techniques include building wooden barriers to prevent erosion and flooding, and thinning excessive pine density, creating conditions for long-term forest resilience.

To support endangered wildlife during the forest recovery period, the project will establish easily accessible nesting sites for lesser kestrels and little owls, alongside insect hotels and artificial water points that support the broader food chain.  

More than 1,400 local people will be directly involved through tree planting activities, and ten local people will be employed in the project.

Activities include planting sessions organised with students, events engaging elderly community members to share their traditional land management knowledge, and tree planting days with Sendaviva Nature Park.

The project will also create nature-based tourism experiences through educational trails with information boards explaining post-fire recovery. The initiative will also co-sponsor the Extreme Bardenas bicycle race, bringing together 1,500 cyclists annually.

TUI Forest Navarra is part of the TUI Care Foundation’s global TUI Forests programme, which is planting trees and taking forest-based experiences to the heart of tourism communities.