Recovering the Memory of Our Forests
Our association was created with a clear, long-term commitment: to manage the resources of our environment efficiently, while preserving its extraordinary natural wealth. For generations, the inhabitants of Valverde de los Arroyos and Zarzuela de Galve developed an economy deeply rooted in the use of forests, meadows and farmland. Thanks to their effort and sacrifice, they achieved a delicate balance that allowed them to live off timber, firewood, livestock grazing and the fruits of the earth without depleting these resources. This traditional knowledge shaped a landscape in which economic activity and ecological health went hand in hand.
Unfortunately, rural depopulation and the declining profitability of these activities led to the gradual abandonment of the territory. Today, we are faced with overgrown and aging forest stands, a higher risk of catastrophic wildfires, and a gradual loss of biodiversity. This situation threatens not only the natural environment but also the cultural heritage and identity of our communities.
In response, our challenge is twofold: to reactivate sustainable forest management in order to restore economic value to the forest and, at the same time, to ensure that it continues to fulfill its vital ecological and social functions.
To achieve this, our association is committed to solutions based on knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. We promote adaptive silvicultural practices that improve forest structure and resilience to climate change, we invest in the use of new technologies for early fire detection and prevention, and we support projects that recover both traditional and modern methods of using forest resources.
Above all, we believe that forests are not merely productive assets but a living heritage that must be handed down in better condition. Giving them this “new opportunity” means rethinking their role in the rural economy, building sustainable value chains, and ensuring that management is participatory, equitable, and resilient for the future.
A Strategic Vision for the Future of Forest Management
Our association’s mission is to restore the strategic importance of forests and meadows that, for centuries, sustained the economy, culture, and identity of our communities. These landscapes once provided timber, pasture, and other vital resources in a way that maintained a balance between human activity and natural regeneration. However, rural depopulation and the progressive abandonment of traditional land-use practices have resulted in unmanaged forests, increased fuel loads, and a decline in their natural regenerative capacity. This situation has created a perfect storm of challenges: higher wildfire risk and severity, biodiversity loss, and a significant reduction in opportunities for sustainable local development.
To confront these issues, we are committed to designing and implementing a sustainable, economically viable forest management model. Our strategy integrates planned and efficient timber and biomass harvesting to generate income while improving forest structure, the promotion of extensive grazing systems to naturally reduce combustible vegetation, and the diversification of forest-based economic activities, including ecotourism, educational initiatives, and the sustainable collection of non-timber forest products.
Innovation and collaboration form the backbone of this vision. We actively participate in research and development projects that test adaptive management frameworks, combining field experience with new technologies and data-driven decision-making. Equally important, we advocate for collaborative governance models that bring together private landowners, public administrations, cooperatives, and research institutions to ensure coordinated and scalable action.
Capacity-building and generational renewal are essential to guarantee continuity. Without trained professionals, engaged communities, and opportunities for young people to live and work in rural areas, forest management cannot be sustained over time.
Our long-term vision is clear: to reposition forests as a key driver of rural development, climate change mitigation, water regulation, and air quality improvement. Through shared effort, innovation, and stakeholder engagement, we can transform neglected landscapes into resilient, productive, and ecologically valuable systems that benefit present and future generations.
Tangible Results for a Living Forest
At our association, we firmly believe that sustainable forest management must translate into concrete actions that improve the condition of our woodlands while generating tangible benefits for the local community. Over recent years, we have made significant progress in implementing a range of strategic measures across our territory.
One of our last actuations has been the planned harvest of pine across 60 hectares. This operation has helped rejuvenate the forest, reduce fuel accumulation, and lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires. To ensure continuity and long-term impact, we have already signed a contract for a second harvest to be carried out in the coming months, which will maintain the momentum of our adaptive silviculture program.
A major milestone has been successfully obtaining FSC certification, which confirms that our management practices meet rigorous sustainability criteria, including responsible use of forest products, biodiversity conservation, and water protection. This recognition demonstrates that our work aligns with the highest environmental standards.
Complementary actions have included forest cleaning and pasture regeneration in holm oak areas, along with repair and improvement of forest roads and tracks, which enhance both access and safety for residents, workers, and visitors. These measures not only improve the ecological health of the territory but also support the social and economic functions of the landscape.
Looking forward, we are advancing projects for the reintroduction of extensive goat and sheep grazing, which naturally control shrub growth while creating local economic opportunities. We are also promoting the establishment of new beehives to increase honey production and strengthen pollination services, which are crucial for ecosystem resilience.
These results demonstrate that, through commitment, innovation and collaboration, it is possible to restore vitality to the forest. By combining ecological, economic and social objectives, we are laying the foundations for a sustainable model of rural development for the villages of Valverde and Zarzuela that will benefit current and future generations.