Complete restoration of the Oka River’s upper estuary

Background

This initiative sought to improve the environmental conditions of a degraded ecosystem of great ecological and cultural value located within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Main objectives were to recover the area’s original landscape (greatly affected in the last decades by the agriculture, cattle raising, the construction of a shipyard and the canalisation of part of the river) and to protect the estuary from negative effects of climate change, mainly sea-level rise and alterations of the water regime. The area has a strong cultural value as it hosts antique buildings and structures, and it is linked to local legends, traditions and myths.

Actions taken included the environmental recovery of a flooded area (Barrutibaso) and the functionality of part of the lower section of the Oka River’s channel, the establishment of a 14 km network of pedestrian footpaths –including a cycling bridge- to enhance connectivity between urban areas, the development of resources for interpretation and dissemination (including informative panels and an appcontaining info on local habitats, species and cultural elements), and theeradication of invasive alien species.