Resilient Landscapes – Community-led post-fire restoration and prevention in the Sudoe area
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense in south-west Europe. After a fire, many rural areas are left exposed to erosion, water loss and new fires, while depopulation makes them harder to manage. We propose a transnational project that turns post-fire restoration into a fire-prevention tool by creating mosaic landscapes that resist fire better. We will:
Restore burned pilot sites in Spain, France and Portugal with resilient native species and structures for water retention and erosion control.
Manage fuel with proven solutions such as grazing, green firebreaks and mosaic farming.
Involve local communities and train young people in forest management, creating green jobs in rural areas.
Develop shared tools (guides, protocols and drone monitoring) so public authorities can build restoration into their fire-prevention plans.
Desert Leaves brings real pilot sites in the Valencian Community, such as Fuente la Reina (Alto Mijares), and experience in community restoration. We are looking for public authorities, forest managers, emergency services and research centres in Spain, France and Portugal.