Soraya Espinosa, owner of nature tourism business, El Observario, guides a group of tourists looking for Przewalski's horses. Iberian Highlands, Spain. Photo Credit: James Shooter
Environment SpainRewilding Transforms Nature and Communities
In Spain, rewilding is transforming the Iberian Highlands, helping rural communities recover from depopulation by creating jobs, restoring nature and building a greener local economy.
“I feel like I’ve grown together with this herd — these beautiful animals have given me a whole new perspective on life,” said nature guide Soraya Espinosa, who now runs wildlife tours to see the reintroduced Przewalski’s horses.
Through efforts led by Rewilding Spain, forests are being protected through sustainable resin tapping, training schools are reviving traditional skills, and nature-based businesses are flourishing. The initiative has already created more than 20 jobs and drawn families back to the region. From eco-tourism to forest conservation, the Iberian Highlands are becoming a model for how restoring wild landscapes can also renew human communities.
