Communal Lands of Froxán
Rías Baixas Land Restoration
A COMMUNITY-LED RESTORATION PROJECT IN GALICIA, SPAIN
Returning Native Forest and Wildlife to Lands Damaged by Mining and Timber Industries
Devastated by deforestation that led to major loss in biodiversity; overwhelmed with invasive eucalyptus, acacia and pine plantations from pulp and paper manufacturers; nearly burned by wildfires, twice - the communal lands of Froxán, Galicia have been through the ringer.
Despite its history, the local community continues their years-long efforts in reviving the land and helping it thrive once again as a natural Galician coastal ecosystem.
Terra Retreats has joined forces with the local NGO, Fundación Montescola, and the Froxán community to create a unique 20-unit landscape resort nestled gently within their land restoration area. This partnership makes you an integral part of the story of this community's revival while providing a sustainable, long-term source of funding for their vital restoration work. You can even spend a day hacking away with their De-eucalyptising Brigades.
Stay with us and join the Brigades!
“Come here, enjoy, contribute, learn. It’s a day to be together and have a great time. It’s addictive”
Catch a glimpse into the inspiring work of the De-eucalyptising Brigades volunteers as they joyfully collaborate to reclaim the landscape of Froxán, removing invasive eucalyptus and planting native trees. Picture our future cabins harmoniously integrated into the recovering native forest that unfolds across this sloping terrain. Your stay provides a special opportunity to join the Brigades and experience the fun of collective environmental stewardship.
Learn more
Resumen TV | Amigos da Terra Galicia | Historical Society of San Finx
Our Partners
Established in 2018 in Froxán, Fundación Montescola (the words “monte” (mountain/forest) and “escola” (school) together), is a local non-profit organization dedicated to community conservation and the defense of nature. Montescola has developed a unique hands-on approach to ecosystem restoration involving thousands of volunteers, schools, and communities.
The Froxán Common Woodlands is a territory of 100 hectares that is cared for directly by the families that live in this village, often tracing their roots back centuries. After regaining community rights over these ancestral lands, after decades of state control and environmental degradation, the Commons has been fully self-managed by the Community since 2012. The efforts to restore and conserve these lands were acknowledged in 2017 by the UN Environment Programme, listing Froxán as the first ICCA (Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas) in Spain. Froxán has since become a model for community-led conservation.
This film follows the community as they continue a years-long mission to revive and restore biodiversity in their lands by replacing invasive pine, acacia and eucalyptus plantations with native species such as chestnuts, European Alder, European Ash, Laurel, Oak and Spanish Oak as well as restoring degraded peat wetlands.
Our Partners
Established in 2018 in Froxán, Fundación Montescola (the words “monte” (mountain/forest) and “escola” (school) together), is a local non-profit organization dedicated to community conservation and the defense of nature. Montescola has developed a unique hands-on approach to ecosystem restoration involving thousands of volunteers, schools, and communities.
The Froxán Common Woodlands is a territory of 100 hectares that is cared for directly by the families that live in this village, often tracing their roots back centuries. After regaining community rights over these ancestral lands, after decades of state control and environmental degradation, the Commons has been fully self-managed by the Community since 2012. The efforts to restore and conserve these lands were acknowledged in 2017 by the UN Environment Programme, listing Froxán as the first ICCA (Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas) in Spain. Froxán has since become a model for community-led conservation.
This film follows the community as they continue a years-long mission to revive and restore biodiversity in their lands by replacing invasive pine, acacia and eucalyptus plantations with native species such as chestnuts, European Alder, European Ash, Laurel, Oak and Spanish Oak as well as restoring degraded peat wetlands.
CREATE CHANGE WITH US
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CREATE CHANGE WITH US •
Are you a landowner working on nature restoration? Would you like to enerate income from an innovative hospitality venture linked to your work?
A farmer exploring agrotourism to support your transition to regenerative practices? An NGO dedicated to rewilding and land restoration? Or an investor passionate about supporting mission-driven businesses?
We’d love to connect—please share some details below and we will be in touch.