The investment adds to the 5.5 million already spent since 2021 and will focus over the next ten years on protecting sites of special scientific and ecological interest. These aquatic ecosystems are vital for freshwater accumulation, climate regulation, and providing refuge for fauna.
In recent years, restoration efforts have been carried out at lagoons such as San Juan (Chinchón), Sotillo and Picón de los Conejos (Velilla de San Antonio), de las Madres (Arganda del Rey), and de las Cuevas (Aranjuez). The region also stands out for the lagoons of the Peñalara Massif, within the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, which were internationally recognized two decades ago when included in the Ramsar list, cataloging the world's most important wetlands.
To mark the twentieth anniversary of this inclusion, scientific conferences are being held in Cercedilla with over a hundred environmental experts. The Minister of Environment, Agriculture, and Interior, Carlos Novillo, inaugurated the event, highlighting ongoing studies on the hydrological and ecological functioning of these areas, as well as the removal of invasive alien species to protect native fauna.
This meeting will foster dialogue among protected area managers, scientists, and citizens, showcasing the protection and research work carried out over the past two decades.
The water bodies of the Sierra de Guadarrama represent one of Europe's finest examples of Mediterranean high-mountain aquatic ecosystems. Spanning 487 hectares, they host significant biodiversity, including 94 protected species, 30 of which are of European interest. Notably, Laguna Grande de Peñalara is a site for water quality analysis, studies on atmospheric pollution effects, and aquatic population monitoring.
The Community of Madrid is a legislative pioneer in wetland regulation, with a specific law dating back to 1990. It is currently participating in the European project LIFE HumedalES, alongside thirteen other autonomous communities, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, and various entities, to restore areas within the Natura 2000 Network.
