Costa Blanca towns receive funding to protect forests from fires and climate change

Thirteen towns in Alicante province, Costa Blanca, will receive funding to protect their forests from fires and climate change. Cox, Crevillent, Santa Pola, Novelda, Petrer, Alguena, Calp, El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, La Vila Joiosa, Mutxamel, Ondara, Sax and Teulada have all been selected for this programme. The aim is to improve local woodland health, promote biodiversity and make the forests more resilient to the effects of climate change and forest fires.

Projects could include removing dead trees, managing competing vegetation, planting new species and encouraging stronger trees adapted to the local conditions. By increasing plant variety, the forests will become richer habitats for wildlife and more robust against environmental pressures. Environment and Energy deputy Magdalena Martinez emphasized the importance of maintaining forest condition and promoting natural regeneration to protect these areas for the future.