The City Council of Calpe officially joined the Alicante Renace project today, with the designation of a first site of nearly one hectare within the natural environment of Las Salinas de Calpe, one of the most emblematic and valuable ecosystems on the Alicante coast. The visit, led by the Councilor for the Environment, Pedro Moll Leuchter, along with municipal technicians and project representatives, allowed for the definition of the first ecological restoration actions that will be carried out in the area over the coming months. Through its Department of the Environment, the City Council of Calpe reaffirms with this initiative its commitment to sustainability, environmental education, and citizen awareness, promoting active policies that strengthen the connection between the population and its natural surroundings. These actions are part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, especially SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating that cooperation between administrations, citizens, and social entities can generate real transformations in the territory.The director of the Alicante Renace project, Daniel Aguilar, emphasized that “The inclusion of Calpe represents a very important step for the entire region. Recovering such an iconic space as Las Salinas not only improves the ecosystem, but also raises the environmental pride of the municipality and consolidates its leadership in the protection of the province's natural heritage. Additionally, it strengthens the educational and transformative value of involving citizens in caring for the territory.”
The Salinas of Calpe constitute an ecosystem of extremely high ecological, landscape, and cultural value. Located between the Peñón de Ifach and the urban center, they host a remarkable diversity of migratory birds — such as flamingos, black-winged stilts, herons, and avocets — as well as native halophilic flora specially adapted to saline soils. This wetland acts as a natural regulator of the microclimate, contributes to water purification, and is an essential refuge for numerous species that depend on these habitats for their survival.
Beyond its environmental importance, the Salinas represent a major tourist attraction for Calpe. Thousands of visitors come each year to observe the flamingos and enjoy the natural landscape, which contrasts with the urban profile and the Peñón de Ifach. This nature and birdwatching tourism integrate harmoniously with the local cultural and gastronomic offerings, generating a model of sustainable development.
This nature and observation tourism harmoniously integrates with the town's cultural and gastronomic offerings, generating a sustainable development model that demonstrates that environmental protection can go hand in hand with economic growth and quality of life. The future ecological restoration promoted by Alicante Renace in collaboration with the Calpe City Council will further strengthen this balance, creating a living space for environmental education and ecotourism that will allow residents, students, and visitors to understand the value of saline ecosystems and their essential role in combating climate change. With this commitment, Calpe joins the network of municipalities of Alicante Renace, which already includes dozens of town councils and thousands of volunteers committed to the environmental recovery of the province. This project consolidates a model of public-social and educational collaboration that continues to make history in the province, planting ecological awareness and hope for future generations.