Por Redaccion 
The Participation Council of the Doñana Natural Space has met at the El Acebuche administrative center in Matalascañas, Almonte (Huelva), where the activities and results report of the Doñana Natural Space for the year 2024 was unanimously approved. Additionally, a proposal was made to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) to complement or update the risk assessment of the ‘Sondeo Marismas-3NE’ project for potential direct or indirect impacts on groundwater bodies and the Doñana Natural Space, and consequently, on the Doñana Special Conservation Area.
During the meeting, chaired by Enrique Mateos and with the participation of the Deputy Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Sergio Arjona, it was agreed that the central government would inform the European Commission of the authorization process for the Marismas-3NE drilling, whose environmental evaluation supporting the initial gas storage project dates back to 2010, in order to enhance transparency and compliance with EU environmental regulations. Additionally, it was proposed to relay this information to the UNESCO World Heritage Center for their awareness and potential review, within the framework of recommendations from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on environmental assessments applicable to World Heritage properties.
Lastly, it was decided to request MITECO to inform the Participation Council of the Doñana Natural Space about the actions related to the agreement adopted in the Plenary session in the future. The ‘Sondeo Marismas-3NE’ project is linked to underground natural gas storage in the Doñana environment and was included as an information point in the Participation Council’s Plenary. These proposals aim to enhance the environmental protection guarantees of the Doñana Natural Space.
Additionally, unanimous reports on the ‘Project for the recovery of streams in the Rocina area’ and the ‘Project for the recovery of lagoons’ in the municipality of Almonte were also approved.
852 million mobilized by the Junta for the Doñana Agreement
During the interventions, the Deputy Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Sergio Arjona, provided a brief overview of the implementation status of the Doñana Agreement signed between the Andalusian Government and the Spanish Government. He highlighted that, since the signing, more than 58% of the committed funds have been mobilized, amounting to over 428 million euros in specific actions in strategic sectors such as fishing, agriculture, forestry, natural environment, and hydraulic infrastructure.
«Thanks to the determined support of the Junta, we have mobilized over 852 million euros, surpassing the initial commitment,» he emphasized, noting that these investments are translating into tangible improvements for biodiversity, sustainability, and socio-economic development in the Doñana influence area.
Likewise, he shared an optimistic outlook on the evolution of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Andalusia, highlighting that the 2024 census population has reached 836 individuals, 78 more than the previous year. Arjona underscored this growth, especially significant compared to the 2019 figures when 463 individuals were counted. «Andalusia has doubled the population in just five years, demonstrating the effectiveness of the conservation strategies implemented,» he pointed out.
Furthermore, he highlighted the population census of the Doñana-Aljarafe area, with 133 individuals identified, including 33 females, the highest known figure. Within this area, a total of 75 individuals, including 38 cubs, were detected within the Doñana Natural Space. Additionally, at least seven litters with 18 cubs, three of which are within the Natural Space with 6 cubs, were located.
240,000 waterbirds after this year’s rains
Regarding the current state of the Doñana marshes, the Deputy Minister emphasized the positive impact of the abundant precipitation since September, restoring a view not seen in over a decade to the park. «We are facing the first wet year since 2010, with almost 100 liters per square meter above the average,» he detailed, pointing out that March was the rainiest month on record. Thanks to this water cycle, over 28,000 hectares of the National Park and 11,000 of the Natural Park were flooded, with depths of up to 80 centimeters still present in areas like the Vetalengua lucio. This scenario has also led to the presence of over 240,000 waterbirds of 87 different species. «It’s a historic event that renews our confidence in the ecosystem’s recovery capacity,» he expressed.
Arjona also highlighted the significance of the recent acquisitions of the ‘Veta la Palma’ and ‘Tierras Bajas’ estates, adding 8,700 new hectares to the Andalusian public heritage with an investment of around 80 million euros. This operation will enable «a more coherent and comprehensive management of the entire Doñana area.»
The Deputy Minister also praised the exemplary implementation of the Romero Plan and the traditional Saca de las Yeguas (Mare Roundup) by the Doñana Natural Space staff, two emblematic events reflecting the close relationship between culture, tradition, and sustainability. Finally, he valued the collaboration agreement signed with the González-Gordon family, owners of the ‘El Puntal’ and ‘El Lobo’ estates, as an example of public-private cooperation for the active conservation of the National Park. «This agreement reinforces our commitment to participatory and sustainable management, focused on ecosystem restoration, habitat improvement, and the protection of key species such as the Iberian lynx or the imperial eagle,» he concluded.
The plenary session saw the participation of the Director General of Protected Natural Spaces, José Enrique Borrallo; the Director of the Doñana Natural Space, Juan Pedro Castellano; the Commissioner for the Doñana Agreement, Jaime Mora; and the Territorial Delegate for Sustainability and the Environment in Huelva, Pedro Yórquez. Also in attendance were mayors of municipalities within the Natural Space, representatives from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, the Biological Station of Doñana, universities, environmental associations, and the Andalusian Hunting Federation, among other authorities.