Por Redaccion 
The Sustainability and Environment Councilor, 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 firm 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 of nearly one million euros (997,673 euros).
During the visit, Catalina García highlighted «the enormous ecological value of the Albufera de Adra, a true natural lung and biodiversity refuge in an environment strongly impacted by intensive agriculture.» In this regard, she emphasized that «the actions we are carrying out will restore former 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, removal of aggregates, creation of shelters for fauna and flood areas, all with the aim of facilitating their integration into the marsh ecosystem of the wetland.
The councilor emphasized that «we are not dealing with an abandoned space, quite the contrary, the Andalusian government cares for it, protects it, and acts on it in a planned and responsible manner.» Catalina García stressed the need to «address complex issues affecting the Albufera comprehensively, 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 observation towers of the Nueva and Honda lagoons are being fully renovated, as well as the Lorenzo García bird station cabin and the Biodiversity Tower observatory, which also includes the installation of nesting boxes for insect-eating birds and pollinators. These enhancements enhance 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 various levels of threat.
The Albufera de Adra has a high level of environmental protection recognized nationally and internationally. In addition to being designated as a Natural Reserve by Law 2/1989, they are part of the List of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention since 1994. They have also been designated as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and a Special Conservation Area (SCA) under the Habitats Directive, and as a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) under the Birds Directive. These protective designations, along with their integration into the European Natura 2000 Ecological Network, underscore their value as a vital 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 Environment for the province of Almería in 2025 amounts to €51.8 million, demonstrating the strong support of the Andalusian government for sustainable development in this region.»
Meanwhile, Manuel Cortés thanked the councilor for «the actions taken in our wetlands,» highlighting «their importance within the ecosystem.» «Our Albufera contributes to biological diversity, mitigates climate change, and supports water supply, not to mention the historical, cultural, and ecological values it holds.» Cortés also emphasized that «in Adra, we are fortunate to have this place rich in biodiversity, habitat for many species, from amphibians to birds, and it is essential to protect and preserve it,» thus acknowledging the important contribution of the Andalusian government in maintaining and enhancing this emblematic spot.
Other actions in Adra
In addition to the ongoing project in the Albufera, the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment has been carrying out other significant actions in the municipality of Adra related to conservation, waste management, and rural infrastructure improvement. In this regard, €35,822 has been invested in improving the surface and signage of the livestock paths «Colada de la Marina» and «Colada de las Hoyas del Barranco», activities that took place between 2022 and 2023, reinforcing the role of these paths as ecological corridors and transit 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 household waste and to promote a more environmentally conscious recycling culture. This facility had a budget of €621,398.
As part of the Waste Regulation Implementation Support Plan, the Andalusian government granted the Adra City Council a subsidy of €75,828 for the implementation of selective collection of domestic biowaste. This grant, from the 2021 call, was awarded in December 2022.
Additionally, the Consortium for the Management of Solid Urban Waste of the Western Almeria region—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 launch 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. Furthermore, in the 2023 call, resolved in May 2024, €715,911 was allocated for the maturation and compost storage warehouse and for a new line for selectively collected waste treatment, as well as another €1,434,466 for the implementation of an automated glass classification system in the refining line.
García highly praised 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 tangible resources that improve quality of life, preserve the environment, and strengthen the circular economy.»
During the tour of the ongoing work, Catalina García was accompanied by the Vice Councilor for Sustainability and Environment, Sergio Arjona; the Government Delegate of the Junta de Andalucía in Almería, Aránzazu Martín; the Director General of Protected Natural Spaces, José Enrique Borrallo; and the Territorial Delegate for Sustainability and Environment in Almería, Manuel de la Torre, among other attendees.