Salou, a coastal town in Catalonia, started a pioneering silvopasture project on 11 May 2026. This initiative aims to clear municipal forests and reduce the risk of wildfires before the summer's high temperatures arrive. The project uses controlled grazing, a natural, sustainable, and ecological method that revives a traditional land management practice.
The operation will cover 47 hectares of municipal forest with a flock of 200 sheep and 40 goats from Alcover. For about a month, these animals will move through various natural areas in Salou, removing dry vegetation, scrub, and bushy growth.
Work is currently focused on the Pedrera forest, an area recently designated a climate refuge for public enjoyment. The project will also extend to other forested zones in the municipality, including Cap Salou, Mirador de Salou, Xalets de Salou, and Zona Estival.
Ancestral Methods for Protection
Salou Mayor Pere Granados and Gardening Councillor Xavier Montalà visited the operational area this morning to see the progress. Granados told reporters that this preventive action is significant. "Today is an important day because the cleaning of Salou's forests begins through one of the oldest existing forms, which is grazing," he stated.
The mayor emphasised that this is a "natural, sustainable, and very ecological" action. He defended the return of grazing as a key tool in preventing forest fires. "Many of the large fires that have occurred in recent years are a consequence of the loss of grazing and the accumulation of vegetation in the forests," he explained.
Granados highlighted that the project benefits everyone, from an environmental perspective, in terms of safety, and by supporting the primary sector. "We clean the forests in an environmentally friendly way and significantly reduce the risk of fire," he said.
The project works by distributing the flock in a controlled manner across the municipality's forested areas. At night, the animals are kept enclosed and supervised to ensure their safety and welfare. The mayor also explained that combining sheep and goats allows for more efficient undergrowth clearing. "Sheep provide a more uniform cleaning, while goats specifically target bushy vegetation. Together, they manage to leave the forest much cleaner," he indicated.
Silvopasture helps remove excess combustible vegetation and creates natural protection strips. These are critical factors in hindering fire spread during periods of high forest fire risk.
The City Council has stated it will ensure proper coexistence with residents, avoiding more populated areas and maintaining permanent control of the flock. Temporary traffic disruptions may occur during animal movements, which will be regulated by the Local Police in coordination with the shepherd.
An Experimental Project with Future Plans
While silvopasture is common in rural settings, Salou is becoming a leading municipality in applying this model in an urban and tourist environment. The initiative has already attracted interest from other municipalities due to its effectiveness and alignment with current sustainability and fire prevention policies.
The project is currently experimental, but initial results are very positive. For this reason, the municipal government is considering continuing this approach in the coming years. "This is very necessary work, not only in Salou but throughout Catalonia. Forests must be clean, and grazing is a fundamental tool to achieve this," the mayor concluded.
