Land Mangment
Muntanya del Voltor
The Muntanya del Voltor is a pioneering land stewardship project in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, dedicated to the conservation and restoration of both natural and cultural heritage. Spanning approximately 300 hectares, this initiative unites the estates of Can Costa, Son Moragues, Son Gual, and Son Gual Petit under a collective management framework. For the first time, it brings together landowners, hikers, tour operators, and other stakeholders, aligning their diverse interests to protect this unique landscape while promoting sustainable public use. Founded to reverse the degradation caused by abandonment and mass tourism, the Muntanya del Voltor association actively works to harmonize public access, private property rights, and nature restoration efforts.
Leading Entity
Associació Muntanya del Voltor
Year
2024
Key Partnerns
Fundación Biodiversidad, Consorci Serra de Tramuntana, Ajuntament de Valldemossa, Federación Balear de Montañismo y Escalada, Mallorca Rural, Fundació Vida Silvestre Mediterránea, ICTIB - Xarxa de Custòdia de les Illes Balears
State of the Project
Ongoing
Keywords
Land stewardship, circular economy, hiking, heritage
Sustainable Development Goals
The Challenge
The Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, faces significant threats from human activity and environmental neglect. Historically, there have been numerous conflicts between private landowners and public users over the rights of way, with private paths being used by the public against the owners' interests, and public paths being closed by irregular means.
The Muntanya del Voltor project directly addresses these longstanding conflicts, offering solutions that bring harmony and coexistence between public use, private property, and nature restoration. This delicate balance is essential to maintaining the region's ecological and cultural integrity while ensuring that the public can continue to enjoy its natural beauty.
The Solution
The Muntanya del Voltor project was established to address these challenges through a multifaceted approach. The association coordinates efforts to restore and maintain the area’s natural and cultural values while regulating public access to minimize human impact. Public use is always regulated in a way that satisfies all parties involved. When fragile areas or locations where certain restoration works are taking place need to be closed, alternative paths are offered to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy the region without compromising its preservation.
This includes the implementation of measures such as controlled access permits for hikers, the restoration of traditional paths, and the revival of historical agricultural practices. The project also engages in active biodiversity conservation, reforestation, and the education of visitors on sustainable practices. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the project realigns interests and fosters collaboration, making it an exemplary model for other regions.
Key Initiatives
- Restoration of Cultural Heritage: Efforts include the rehabilitation of historic structures and paths, preserving the cultural identity of the area.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Activities such as reforestation, habitat restoration, and the installation of wildlife corridors to support local fauna.
- Public Access Regulation: A permit system has been established to manage the number of visitors, reducing environmental pressure and ensuring a quality experience for those who visit.
- Environmental Education: The project emphasizes public education through guided tours, workshops, and informational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable practices.
Impact
The Muntanya del Voltor has made significant strides in conserving the Serra de Tramuntana’s natural and cultural heritage. By effectively managing public access and promoting sustainable land use, the project has mitigated the impact of mass tourism while fostering a deeper appreciation for the region's unique landscape. As a pioneering effort that unites various stakeholders, it stands as a model for land stewardship that successfully balances the needs of public use, private property, and environmental conservation.
Key Partners
- Fundació Iniciatives del Mediterrani: Currently supervises the project, ensuring its goals align with broader environmental and cultural preservation efforts.
- Fundació Vida Silvestre del Mediterrani (FVSM): Initially led the design and implementation of the management program.
- Valldemossa Town Hall: Supports the project in collaboration with local authorities.
- Federació Balear de Muntanyisme i Escalada: Partners in managing hiking and climbing activities within the area.
- Consell de Mallorca and Govern Balear: Key collaborators in supporting the project's development and sustainability.
Future Outlook
As part of FIM's broader plans for the Tramuntana, Muntanya del Voltor is preparing to launch an innovative environmental footprint offsetting program. This program will allow interested companies to offset their carbon footprints by contributing to the regeneration efforts within the Muntanya del Voltor. This initiative represents a novel way to bring together various sectors and build a common vision that aligns economic interests with environmental stewardship. By continuing to develop innovative methods of connecting people to the land they visit, the project aims to further align economic activities with the preservation of nature, ensuring a sustainable future for the Serra de Tramuntana.
Learn More
For more information about the project and how you can participate or visit, please visit the Muntanya del Voltor website.
