In the Iberian Highlands rewilding landscape in Spain, an ambitious volunteering programme is advancing rewilding efforts, equipping participants with valuable knowledge and skills, and creating passionate new advocates for nature recovery.
The launch of a new volunteering programme in the Iberian Highlands rewilding landscape has seen the Rewilding Spain team build engagement and provide young people with the opportunity to advance their personal rewilding journeys. The Iberian Highlands, with its stunning landscapes and captivating wildlife, provided the perfect backdrop for the programme. Kicking off in the spring of 2024, it saw volunteers from ten countries come together in Spain last year to help restore habitats, monitor wildlife, and interact with local communities.
The volunteers, who were mostly aged under 30, supported nature recovery in the landscape through fieldwork and hands-on conservation efforts. From monitoring and tracking large herbivores that have been reintroduced by the rewilding team, to conducting wildlife population surveys and maintaining essential infrastructure, the volunteers engaged in a range of activities aimed at enhancing biodiversity and promoting human-wildlife co-existence.
Emmanuel Rondeau
Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe
Empowering the next generation
The efforts of the volunteers not only advanced rewilding in the landscape, but also served as a gateway for them to join the rewilding movement, deepening their connections with wild nature and equipping them with invaluable knowledge and skills. Several volunteers were university students who used the opportunity to complete their undergraduate or master’s degree internships, or to include the work they carried out in the preparation of their doctoral thesis, with tutoring provided by Rewilding Spain’s technical team.
During their stays, which ranged from one to three months, the volunteers deepened their understanding of the principles of rewilding. By actively engaging with the landscape and its inhabitants, they gained valuable insights into the potential of rewilding to address wide-ranging challenges, and pave the way for a future where nature and people can flourish alongside each other. The programme also provided participants with the opportunity to learn more about the great natural and cultural heritage of the Alto Tajo, Serranía de Cuenca, and Sierra de Albarracín regions.
Positive feedback
The experience left a lasting impression on volunteers. Emily Saunders, a student from the UK who volunteered for two months, found the volunteering experience immersive and enriching. She particularly enjoyed participating in herbivore censuses led by herd manager Manuel Villa, as well as animal behaviour studies.
“The behavioural work was really interesting for me, particularly with my background in zoology. I found the application of my theoretical knowledge in the field highly rewarding.”
Mona Rieux, a French volunteer with an academic background in geography, embraced opportunities to learn about wildlife tracking and vultures. She also participated in a study on Przewalski’s horses, which have been released into the landscape by the Rewilding Spain team. Her exchanges with members of the Rewilding Spain emphasised the transdisciplinary nature of the programme.
Emmanuel Rondeau
“For me, the highlight was the in-depth conversations I had with people from the team – hearing their perspectives and learning how they arrived in the Iberian Highlands. Everyone had very different backgrounds. I was very touched by the welcome I received.”
All the volunteers enjoyed deepening their connection with wild nature.
“To people who may not have thought about volunteering in the field of nature or rewilding, I would tell them to come, because this experience will provide them with a different and stimulating challenge that helps you to reflect on what you want in life,” says Martynas Jockus, a young Lithuanian participant with a background in political science. “Volunteering in the Iberian Highlands has helped me to escape from the office and reconnect with myself through nature.”
Rewilding ambassadors
The testimonials from the volunteers offer a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of their time in the Iberian Highlands – from exploring different landscapes to engaging in rewilding efforts. Emily’s wildlife monitoring experience and Mona’s cross-disciplinary interactions exemplify the spectrum of learning and personal growth opportunities available through the programme.
Lidia Valverde
Both Emily and Mona took pride in being seen as ambassadors for the programme, and for rewilding efforts in the landscape. This reflects the enduring impact of their time in the Iberian Highlands, and the potential ripple effect of their advocacy for rewilding. As they continue their lives away from the landscape, they will help to spread awareness of the region’s natural wonders and the importance of responsible tourism.
“I like to think of myself as an ambassador for rewilding in the Iberian Highlands now,” says Emily. “This is definitely something that I will talk to people about as I continue my journey.”
Economic boost
The Iberian Highlands volunteer programme also boosted the area’s burgeoning nature-based economy, with volunteers supporting small businesses, exploring cultural sites, and engaging with community members. During their stay they were housed in private homes in Alto Tajo, as well as in the Finca de Solanillos rural hostel in Mazarete, which is managed by the Apadrina un Árbol Foundation, a local NGO. Many were visited by family and friends, who also shopped and dined locally and visited places of interest in the landscape.
La Fundación Apadrina un Árbol
Looking to the future
As the Rewilding Spain team gear up for the continuation of the volunteer programme in 2025, the legacy of the inaugural group of participants continues to resonate. Their dedication, passion, and commitment advanced nature recovery in the Iberian Highlands and amplified the benefits rewilding is delivering. More than this, it inspired a new generation of environmental stewards to champion rewilding efforts and enhance Europe’s precious natural heritage.
By empowering individuals to become stewards of the environment, the volunteering programme is not only helping to transform the landscape and the outlook for local communities, but nurturing a sense of responsibility towards our planet. The success of this initiative underscores the power of community-driven conservation efforts and offers hope of a better, wilder future.
