The University initiates a plan for the renaturalization of the campus with the planting of more than 800 trees.

The University of Navarra 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. The University has carried out various programs of study and surveys to determine the status of the oldest trees and will soon carry out the felling of diseased specimens and those at risk of falling due to the instability of their structure.

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. This will make it possible to better control erosion on the slopes and protect the University campus from flooding, where the natural riverside vegetation plays a recognized role. 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 first work began in April, 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 renaturalization of the campus is a project that the University has been working on for the last few years. The document has been prepared by Ricardo Ibáñez, Senior Associate Professor of Botany at theSchool of Sciences; Esperanza Marrodán, professor of Theory, Projects and Urban Planning at the School of ArchitectureJuan José Pons, Full Professor of Geography at the School of Philosophy and Letters; and Enrique Baquero, Professor of Zoology and Ecology at the School of Science. 

 "The plan is designed by an interdisciplinary team made up of biologists and those responsible for the University's Garden and Landscaping Services . The first goal is for the river to be accompanied by the vegetation that corresponds to it in a natural way with greater biodiversity. Secondly, woodland formations will be recreated that are much more natural than those proposed by a simple garden, which will increase the landscape value of the campus," says Professor Enrique Baquero, a biologist and one of the authors of the project. 

Six areas of action and specimens of 14 different species

The plan establishes six areas of action: two differentiated zones - zones 1 and 2 - 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 is contemplated.

Zone 3 contemplates the recovery of the native forest of the Pamplona basin, which extends from the car park of the sports center to 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, zone 4 proposes the renaturalization of the access roads to the campus that run in front of the University of Navarra Museum, from the traffic circle at source del Hierro street to Esquíroz street. In addition, in the vicinity of the high school Mayor Mendaur high school Mayor , boxwood, hawthorn, honeysuckle and Scots pine will be planted. The plan will also be used to plant specimens on the edge of the campus in front of the Donapea high school, with shaggy oak, maple and elm trees. 

Zone 5 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, zone 6 is located near the border of the campus with Donapea, where the aim is to recreate the Navarre mountain forest with beech and pine trees. 

Removal of diseased specimens

The University has carried out various programs of study and surveys to determine the status of the oldest trees on campus. In total, 431 trees (Lombardy poplars and Boolean poplars) have been found to be senescent and affected by diseases -bacteriosis or fungal infections, dead crowns or neo-formation-, with instability in their structure and danger of falling branches. The technical reports speak of extreme risk and urge the felling of these trees, given their proximity to facilities, vehicle traffic or pedestrians, especially in the case of specimens that in most cases exceed 20 meters in height and weigh two tons. 

The trees that need to be cut down represent 7.5% of the 5690 specimens of 173 species that are currently in the area. The felling of these diseased specimens will be carried out in several phases from this summer until the summer of 2030. 

The campus as a space for teaching and research

Included in this project is 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. 

Planting this number of 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 campuswill be monitored to obtain data on their survival, growth rate and relationship with ecosystem services. 

With an extension of 110 hectares, 70% of the surface area of the University's campus is woodland, lawns, gardens and water absorption surfaces. It should be remembered that the University has received the Green Flag Award seven consecutive times, in award of its environmental management and commitment to sustainability, as well as its conservation, maintenance and excellence in receiving visitors, as it is an open space for the enjoyment of all citizens.

→ More information and interactive graphic