The SocialForest project, coordinated by the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia (CARM) and co-financed by the European Interreg SUDOE programme, continues to make steady progress in implementing its pilot actions in Spain, Portugal, and France. These initiatives aim to promote adaptive and climate-resilient forest management.
During the online technical meeting held this week, the nine consortium partners shared the advances achieved in the various participating territories, highlighting the positive impact of transnational cooperation on the conservation of forest ecosystems in southwestern Europe.
In the Region of Murcia, silvicultural interventions are being prepared in Cehegín, focused on promoting the natural regeneration of Pinus halepensis forests, with work expected to start in November. In Moratalla, actions will take place in areas affected by wildfires, scheduled for completion next spring.
In Castilla-La Mancha, activities focus on improving dehesas affected by Phytophthora through phytosanitary treatments, reforestation, and grass seeding, also expected to conclude in spring.
In the province of Soria, the Forestry Association of Soria continues to promote social engagement initiatives and collaboration between forest owners and local administrations, with the goal of encouraging participation in sustainable forest management.
In Portugal, the organisations ADPM and EDIA are carrying out work in the Alentejo region, including non-tillage clearing and protection of natural regeneration in areas of cork oaks, holm oaks, and strawberry trees, as well as the restoration of pond banks and water lines. EDIA has already completed its pilot action with very satisfactory results.
Finally, in France, the partner Xylofutur is making progress in New Aquitaine with post-fire natural regeneration projects and preventive fire management measures based on innovative technological systems, scheduled for completion in 2026.
These actions are supported scientifically—also as SocialForest partners—by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the University of Toulouse.