We restore and rehabilitate streams near the Camí de Cavalls, in collaboration with GOB Menorca, to improve biodiversity and reduce the impact of heavy rainfall on the trail and its immediate surroundings.
STREAM RESTORATION WITH GOB MENORCA
Camí de Cavalls 360º and Menorca 360º make use of public and fragile resources such as the Camí de Cavalls and the natural areas surrounding it. Through the Conservation Project, we allocate part of the resources generated by our activities to improve this environment. One of the most recent lines of work is the restoration of streams located very close to the trail, in collaboration with GOB Menorca, a leading non-profit environmental association on the island.
These actions help restore the hydrological functionality of streams, reduce erosion on the trail and improve the biodiversity of some of the most sensitive areas of the Biosphere Reserve.
WHY DO WE WORK ON STREAMS NEAR THE CAMÍ DE CAVALLS?
Streams are part of the natural network that connects the Camí de Cavalls with the island’s interior. They are areas that:
- Channel rainwater towards the sea and coastal wetlands (salt pans, flood zones, etc.).
- Host a great diversity of plant and animal species, many of them characteristic of Mediterranean riparian environments.
- Act as ecological corridors and help maintain Menorca’s traditional agricultural landscape.
When these streams become obstructed by inappropriate vegetation or invasive plants, or are severely degraded, important problems can arise: overflowing during episodes of heavy rain, damage to infrastructure such as the Camí de Cavalls, and loss of natural values. The actions we promote address precisely these situations.
RESTORATION OF A STREAM SECTION IN THE CALA EN PORTER RAVINE
The first joint action with GOB Menorca focuses on a stretch of about 110 metres of the stream running through the Cala en Porter ravine (municipality of Alaior), very close to the Camí de Cavalls.
In this section, the streambed was occupied by several invasive exotic species that hindered water flow and impoverished the native riparian vegetation. The project consists of:
- Processing all the necessary permits from the Natura 2000 Network and the Water Resources Department, given the sensitivity of the area.
- Manual clearing of Ipomoea and controlled mechanical removal of Colocasia and giant reed (Arundo), exotic species that form very dense masses.
- Shredding and drying the extracted biomass to prevent regrowth and reuse it as organic matter.
- Removing soil blockages and accumulated plant debris from the streambed, which acted as a barrier to the natural flow of water.
- Restoring riparian vegetation by sowing around fifteen elm trees (Ulmus minor) and planting around one hundred native shrubs such as hawthorn, myrtle, blackthorn and elder.
The planting is distributed in different sections of the stream, combining areas dominated by shrubs with others where riparian trees are the main component. The goal is to recover a diverse, stable riparian forest adapted to the conditions of the gorge, increasing shade, water infiltration and wildlife refuge.
All the work is carried out using manual or light mechanical techniques, minimising soil impact and avoiding the use of chemical products.
CLEARING THE FINAL SECTION OF THE BINIGUARDÓ STREAM
The second action takes place in the final section of the Biniguardó stream, just before it reaches the Concepció salt pans and the Camí de Cavalls, in the Fornells area. This is an area of high natural interest, protected by the Natural Areas Act (ANEI) and part of the Natura 2000 Network as a Site of Community Importance and Special Protection Area for Birds.
Summer storms in recent years have highlighted the fragility of this point. Water overflowed onto the fields next to the Camí de Cavalls and affected both the trail walls and the salt pan structures, which also host breeding islets for waterbirds.
Field visits carried out by GOB Menorca identified several obstacles in the streambed: trees growing in the middle of the watercourse, dead trunks and crossing branches, mainly from tamarisks, mastic trees, wild olive trees and brambles. During episodes of heavy rain, this vegetation acts as a barrier that diverts water flow towards the Camí de Cavalls and the salt pans.
To prevent further overflows without compromising the natural values of the site, the project includes:
- A detailed diagnosis of the state of the section through fieldwork and specific mapping.
- Processing the corresponding authorisations from the Natura 2000 Network and Water Resources.
- Selective manual clearing of around 350 metres of stream, acting only on points that pose an evident blockage risk.
- Shredding the extracted branches to reuse them as organic fertiliser within the estate itself.
The intervention is coordinated with the other stakeholders involved: the salt pan concession holder, responsible for restoring its infrastructure, and the Consell Insular de Menorca, responsible for repairing the Camí de Cavalls walls. This ensures a comprehensive solution that combines safety, heritage conservation and habitat protection.
A SHARED PROJECT WITH GOB MENORCA
Both actions are carried out in close collaboration with GOB Menorca, which contributes its technical expertise and the knowledge accumulated over decades of environmental work on the island. This collaboration reflects the will to join forces with local entities working for more responsible land management.
GOB Menorca promotes, among other initiatives, the Agrarian Stewardship programme, a tool that fosters cooperation agreements with farms to move towards sustainable food production while conserving nature and strengthening Menorca’s agricultural landscape. The actions in the streams align with this philosophy: improving water management, restoring habitats and increasing the territory’s resilience to climate change.
CONTINUITY WITH OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
Restoring streams near the Camí de Cavalls is another step forward in 40 Nord Outdoor’s environmental commitment, which also materialises in initiatives such as the Conservation Project and 0º Plastic. All these actions share the same idea: our activities must not only respect the environment but actively contribute to its improvement.
Thanks to the voluntary contributions of participants in Camí de Cavalls 360º and Menorca 360º, and the direct contribution of €2 per person from 40 Nord Outdoor, we can continuously allocate resources to projects like these. Restored streams, more resilient trails and better-preserved natural areas are the collective return of this shared commitment.