The Government of Asturias has announced the initiation of a significant environmental recovery project for the Eo Estuary natural reserve, with an investment of approximately 555,000 euros.
This initiative, led by the Department of Fomento, Local Cooperation, and Fire Prevention, aims to restore natural habitats across a vast area of the estuarine corridor and improve access to several public spaces in the municipalities of Castropol and Vegadeo.
Work has commenced in the Villadún lagoon area, a highly valued location for birdwatching. Enhancements will be made to the surroundings and the birdwatching hut will be rehabilitated.
The project also includes interventions in other public viewing areas such as Punta del Torno, Punta Espiela, the Serrasa area, and Arnao beach. Additionally, the environment around Salías beach will be organized.
Unique actions planned include improving the conservation status of the Arnao-Villadún lagoons and restoring the natural lagoon near Penarronda beach, a natural monument in Castropol, where invasive vegetation will be removed and other conditioning tasks will be undertaken.
This initiative will be coordinated with the Xunta de Galicia, which is implementing actions on the opposite bank of the estuary as part of the Life Fluvial project. Both communities aim to control invasive flora, eliminate non-native species, plant native species typical of riverine forests, and improve the phytosanitary status of river corridors.
Moreover, the project addresses socio-economic interests, such as raising awareness about natural values and the socio-economic benefits of river corridors.
This project is part of the restoration efforts for ecosystems and green infrastructures funded by the Next Generation EU recovery fund, managed by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, aiming to achieve a good state of ecosystem protection through ecological restoration and reversing biodiversity loss while ensuring the sustainable use and preservation of natural resources.
The Eo Estuary is designated as a Special Conservation Area (ZEC) within the Natura 2000 Network and is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Río Eo, Oscos y Terras de Burón, established in 2007. Additionally, it is included in the Ramsar Convention for the protection of wetlands, further underscoring the unique value of this area.