Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park celebrates 40 years of biodiversity and ecotourism

Catalina García, Regional Minister of Sustainability and the Environment, presided over the official ceremony, held at the El Sequero Visitor Center in Siles, which will be followed by a series of activities throughout the year. The event was also attended by other institutional representatives, environmental agents, natural resource professionals, members of the tourism sector, the business community, and the scientific community.

The central theme of the event was a tribute to those who sustain and protect this natural area day in and day out. On one hand, awards were presented to companies affiliated with the Natural Park Brand—there are 16 companies, of which twelve are in nature tourism, two in artisanal products, and another two in natural products—such as Embutidos y Jamones Navarro and Tierraventura Cazorla.

Similarly, recognition was given to the work of the Park’s Sustainable Tourism Association, which brings together local councils and the business community; the Villacarrillo Speleology Group, responsible for decisive research in caves that have been declared entomological reserves; the ancestral practice of mountain bowling; and the company Tragsa, for its special dedication to the restoration of areas damaged by the storm front. Furthermore, the work of the livestock associations within the protected area, as well as the Andalusian hunting, fishing, and mountaineering federations, was highlighted for “the importance of the activities they carry out” there.

Likewise, there was a moving tribute to the park’s environmental rangers, accepted on behalf of the Corps by Pedro Ávila. A commemorative plaque was also presented posthumously to Juan Lopezosa and Diego Sánchez, as well as to the rangers retiring after years of service in the protected area.

During her remarks, the regional minister emphasized that this park “is not only a natural enclave of extraordinary beauty, but also represents a model of coexistence between nature and society, a place where environmental protection has endured over the years thanks to the economic momentum and deep-rooted culture of the mountain communities.” In this context, she noted that the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura, and Las Villas Natural Park, designated in 1986 and recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1983, “with an area of over 209,000 hectares, is the largest protected natural area in Spain and the second largest in Europe. It is also a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) and its territory spans 23 municipalities.

Along the same lines, he cited as examples of its richness its forests, valleys, gorges, its extraordinary biodiversity, and a natural and cultural heritage that, he declared, “is the pride of the province and of Andalusia.” In addition, he highlighted the unique hydrographic features of the territory, where the Guadalquivir and Segura rivers originate, and reservoirs such as Tranco, Aguascebas, and La Bolera are located.

Reflecting on the park’s 40-year history, García highlighted the significance of “the professionalization of forest management, the modernization of its public facilities—including the visitor centers at Torre del Vinagre and Río Borosa—the commitment to environmental education, and the consolidation of sustainable tourism, which has generated employment opportunities and helped retain the local population.”

“Today, it is a European benchmark for sustainable management because it has demonstrated that protecting and thriving are not opposing concepts, but paths that move forward together,” he noted. In this vein, he acknowledged “the enormous work in biodiversity conservation” carried out in the park, with “a special focus on the bearded vulture.”

He mentioned the Guadalentín Breeding Center, “which has become the most important breeding hub in Europe for this species.” “Thanks to its work, Andalusia has managed to establish stable breeding territories and improve the genetic health of the reintroduced population,” he noted.

He also highlighted the major investments the Regional Government is making in the natural park. He listed some of the most significant ones, such as the Transversal de Las Villas, a forest road in the Las Villas area (2.8 million euros), and the more than 2.1 million euros allocated to the Carretera de la Vega and other forest roads and trails in Santiago-Pontones.

He also mentioned the 1.7 million euros to be used to convert the old Cerrada de Utrero hydroelectric plant into an eco-museum; the 828,000 euros to renovate the Borosa fish farm; and the more than 700,000 euros to expand the Puerto de las Palomas viewpoint. He also estimated the Andalusian government’s investments in the municipalities surrounding the protected area since 2019 at over 40 million euros, while highlighting the subsidy for grazing on public pastures within the autonomous community.

“This will mean savings of over 1.5 million euros annually for livestock farmers in accessing public pastures, and it will have a particular impact on the residents of the municipalities within the Natural Park,” he stressed.

On this point, he also highlighted “the regional government’s swift response to the devastating effects of the series of storms,” noting the emergency works “currently underway on forest roads, livestock trails, and green infrastructure—including within this natural park—which will involve investments totaling eight million euros under the ‘Andalusia Acts’ Plan.”

García also addressed sustainable tourism, mentioning the Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan (PSTD), funded by Next Generation EU funds, “which is being developed as a strategy to transform the way visitors and residents interact with the protected area.” In this regard, he cited initiatives such as improving accessibility to the Las Acebeas trail in Siles, implementing renewable energy in the forest houses of Don Domingo and Riogazas, and upgrading the Los Casares parking lot next to the Tranco reservoir—actions that align with the goal of creating a more organized, inclusive, and conservation-friendly mobility system.

“Tourism must move toward respecting natural resources, improving the local quality of life, and offering authentic experiences that connect visitors with the essence of these mountain ranges,” she argued.

At the closing of the event, the regional minister presented the roadmap for the park’s future. A plan that, as she stated, “is committed to strengthening scientific research, advancing accessibility, promoting sustainable mobility,” and fostering the green and circular economy.

She added the goals of “strengthening the links between culture and nature, supporting rural entrepreneurship, and improving shared governance among administrations, businesses, and citizens.”

“The next 40 years will be just as decisive as the ones we are celebrating today. This park will continue to be a beacon of identity, a driver of progress, and an example of how nature and people can walk together toward a better future,” she concluded.