The University has initiated a plan for the renaturalization of the campus that involves the planting of more than 800 specimens of native species, respectful of the biodiversity of the area and adapted to the environmental conditions of the site.
The project has considered the area of action (orientations, proximity to the river, soil characteristics) when choosing the species, in order to optimize the survival and growth of the planted trees.
Naturalization will be especially relevant in the areas closest to the Sadar River, where the aim is to recover the river environment and the structure of its vegetation. Other significant actions are the recovery of the Pamplona basin forest, which is a shaggy oak grove; and another recreation area with another species characteristic of the most humid Navarre, the beech tree.
The renaturation of the campus is a project that the University has been working on for the past few years. The first work began in April 2025, with the planting of 115 oak, 41 mustard, 39 maple and 29 elm trees in the area closest to the University's sports center , and will continue until 2030.
The objectives of the plan are to provide the river environment with greater biodiversity and to increase the landscape value of the campus, as explained by Enrique Baquero, biologist and one of the authors of the project.
Authors of the project
Ricardo Ibáñez
Professor of Botany
School of Science
Esperanza Marrodán
Professor of Theory, Projects and Urban Planning
School of Architecture
Juan José Pons
Full Professor of Geography
School of Philosophy and Letters
Enrique Baquero
Professor of Zoology
School of Science
6 areas of action and specimens of 14 different species
The plan establishes six areas of action: two differentiated zones along the banks of the Sadar River, where the planting of shrub species and bands of trees such as alder, white willow, ash, hazel and elm are contemplated. The third zone contemplates the recovery of the native forest of the Pamplona basin, extending over the land between the sports center car park and the campus boundary towards the Azpilagaña neighborhood, with the planting of species such as the shaggy oak, maple, elm and mustard. With these same characteristics, the fourth zone proposes renaturalization along the access roads to the campus that run in front of the University of Navarra Museum, from the traffic circle on Calle source del Hierro to Calle Esquíroz. In addition, boxwood, hawthorn, honeysuckle and Scots pine will be planted in the vicinity of the high school Mayor Mendaur high school Mayor . The plan will also be used to plant specimens on the edge of the campus in front of the Donapea high school, with specimens of shaggy oak, maple and elm.
The fifth area of action is located in the area closest to the Central Building and the Belagua high school Mayor , where the intention is to maintain the current aesthetics of the area with the planting of black poplars -the current ones are Lombardy poplars-. Finally, the sixth area is located near the campus boundary with Donapea, where the aim is to recreate the Navarre mountain forest with beech and pine trees.
The campus as a space for teaching and research
The project includes the implementation of the "greenclassroom " of the Science Museum of the University of Navarra. Through this initiative, zoned landscapes will be created with different species to carry out environmental Education activities with schoolchildren. In addition, rows of trees will be planted to provide shade at the main entrances to the campus , as well as the opportunity to create visual or sound barriers on the perimeter of the campus in front of the parking lots.
The planting of these 800 trees on the University campus will contribute to the reduction of the heat island effect and the elimination of CO2 or pollution.
Finally, all plantations will serve as research objects. To this end, the trees -which will be individually identified from their birth in the nursery, and will continue to be so at their final location on campus will be monitored to obtain data on their survival, growth rate and relationship with the ecosystem services mentioned.
