Tag Archives: Ecology

Meeting between environmental organisations and the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy

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The organisations SOS Costa Brava, Ecologistas en Acción, SOS Mar Menor and GOB recently met in Madrid with the Director General of the Merchant Navy, Gustavo Santana, to express our shared concern about the growing impacts of nautical overcrowding along the entire Spanish coastline.

During the meeting, it was made clear that the main cause of this situation is the excessive number of recreational boats operating without control or oversight. In recent years, in the most saturated areas, this reality has led to an increase in unsafe conditions along the coastal strip, with concerning episodes such as collisions between boats, accidents involving swimmers, risks during sports activities, and severe impacts on marine ecosystems.

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Mulching the soil: less evaporation, more fertility

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Mulching the soil: less evaporation, more fertility

Next Friday, April 11, GOB Menorca is organizing a training session entitled “Saving water with soil mulching”, which will take place at the Binitord vineyards (Ciutadella). The course is aimed at farmers, horticulturists, and people interested in sustainable soil management. It will include both theoretical and practical components.

The session will be led by Raoul Ferrer, an agricultural engineer with expertise in regenerative agriculture and holistic management. We spoke with him to learn more about mulching and its applications.

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Join the biodiversity monitoring

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Do you love nature and want to spend time outdoors while contributing to an important cause? Every spring, a group of passionate volunteers interested in agriculture and biodiversity heads out into the Menorcan countryside to monitor bioindicators on farms participating in the Custòdia Agrària (Agri-environmental Stewardship) program.

The goal? To show how sustainable farming practices benefit biodiversity—while enjoying a unique experience in nature.

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On Menorca’s tourism carrying capacity

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Recently, details have emerged about the study on tourism carrying capacity commissioned by the Consell Insular de Menorca. The study proposes increasing the number of tourist accommodations across the island, including in traditional towns, tourist areas, and even rural land.

This is a serious concern, as the study is being used to justify lifting the current tourism moratorium. The GOB has released an initial response highlighting key issues.

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New Land Stewardship agreement for vegetable garden lands

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Just a year ago, S’Hortet de s’Algar was born on a plot of land in eastern Menorca that had long been abandoned. With passion and hard work, this project has flourished into a thriving, sustainable farm producing healthy food while caring for both the land and the people.

Now, S’Hortet de s’Algar has joined the Custòdia Agrària program of GOB Menorca, committing to farming without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers through regenerative agriculture techniques. The farm is currently in a transition period, awaiting its official organic certification.

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Appeal to enforce environmental conditions in Fornells Port

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The redevelopment of Fornells Port, which includes an increase in the number of moorings, is subject to environmental conditions that remain unresolved. The installation of ecological buoys in nearby coves, as well as the delimitation and management of the anchoring zone, has no foreseeable execution in the short term. In response, GOB has submitted an appeal to the Posidonia Committee and Ports IB.

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Eminent humility

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Our Mediterranean environment is not a primeval space. For over a million years, the first hominids have passed through these lands, leaving behind the mark of a species uniquely capable of transforming the places it inhabits.

That is why our landscapes are the result of both the primordial nature that shaped them—geology, climate, biology—and the decisions made by our ancestors at different points in history.

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Training course: Water conservation through soil mulching

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Covering the soil reduces water evaporation. This can be done using various materials such as straw, wood chips, bioplastics, and, of particular interest, sheep wool. This traditional practice has regained attention as a way to mitigate drought effects and reduce reliance on conventional materials. It is a sustainable method that is gaining popularity in organic farming.

To promote this technique, we are organizing a practical training course at Vinyes Binitord (Ciutadella) on April 11th. The course will explore different mulching options, with special emphasis on the use of wool—a material that not only conserves water but also improves soil quality and protects crops from pests.

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Letter to the irritated President

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Mr. Vilafranca,

Following the protest organized by GOB at the Plenary Session of the Island Council, you made statements that hardly seem fitting for an institutional president.

It is likely that your words were influenced by the tension of seeing dozens of people express their disagreement with the proposals your team brought to the session. In any case, we would like to offer a few comments.

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