Collserola, a beautiful natural park near Barcelona, has a rich history rooted in olive farming. In the mid-20th century, the area was dotted with olive trees. Farmers produced olive oil for their own use and sold the extra. But as the countryside fell into neglect, many fields were lost to the forest. In 1956, 21.5% of Collserola was cultivated land. Today, that number is just 6.4%. This decline not only impacts local biodiversity but also raises the risk of wildfires.
Recently, a new extra virgin olive oil called l’Oli Nou de Barcelona has hit the market. This oil is special. It’s made from native olive varieties, like the nearly lost vera del Vallès and the well-known arbequina. This project aims to revitalize 156 hectares of land in Collserola. The goal is to turn these areas back into productive olive groves, helping to prevent fires and restore biodiversity.
Miquel Rafa, director of sustainability at the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation, stresses the importance of this initiative. The foundation is a major landowner in Catalonia and is committed to fire prevention. By working together with local cooperatives and forest owners, they expect to recover around 20 hectares of olive trees by October, with plans to reach a total of 156 by 2030.
To ensure this project thrives, plans are underway for a community mill. This mill will not only support local production but also bring back the self-consumption culture that once defined the area. “This will be a cornerstone,” Rafa says, emphasizing its role in the project’s long-term success.
Raimon Roda, managing director of the Consortium of the Natural Park, highlights that this initiative is about more than just fighting fire. It also aims to restore the biodiversity that once flourished in Collserola. Olive trees are drought-resistant, making them perfect for adapting to climate challenges. This project aligns with an overarching goal: creating landscapes that can withstand the climate crisis.
At the Oliveres Reverter estate, workers clear and care for olive trees, ensuring they are productive once more. They are not just preserving the environment but also providing job opportunities for people facing social challenges. This social dimension adds depth to the project, alongside its environmental and agricultural aims.
Pau Moragas from L’Olivera cooperative elaborates on the significance of local food production. “In Catalonia, we don’t have enough farmers, and that needs to change,” he says. They believe that local olive oil represents not just a product but a piece of cultural heritage and identity.
Recovery of this landscape is a community effort, with several local farmers already on board. They’re not just restoring land but also rejuvenating a crucial part of Catalonia’s history. The resurgence of Collserola’s olive oil is a meaningful step toward environmental stewardship, cultural revival, and community engagement.
For more information about this project and its importance for biodiversity and fire prevention, visit the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation’s official page.
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recover, the, oil, made, in, barcelona, if, the, verdi, cinemas, disappeared, there, would, be, outcry, right, well, the, same, should, have, happened, in, collserola
