Mallorca forest project wins gold as planting tops 20,000

Mallorca’s TUI Forest project has planted more than 20,000 native trees and shrubs – and now wins a global gold award for its work on land damaged by repeated fires. The Balearic Government and TUI Care Foundation receive the Global Responsible Tourism Awards prize for climate change adaptation in London on Monday, 2 November 2026. Balearic agriculture, fisheries and natural environment minister Joan Simonet collects the award.

The project had already won gold in the European round, earning it a place in the global awards.

Forest inland, habitats on the coast

TUI Forest Mallorca aims to restore and protect more than 200 hectares of natural land in north-east Mallorca affected by repeated forest fires and other damage. At the public estate of S’Alqueria Vella in Artà, within the Llevant Peninsula Natural Park, the work focuses on restoring forest and plant cover. At the public estate of Son Real in Santa Margalida, it includes restoring coastal habitats.

The judges also singled out the project’s work to reduce the risk of land becoming barren after repeated fires.

More planting planned through 2028

The project has more than €1 million in funding, including €550,000 from the TUI Care Foundation. Crews from the Balearic Institute of Nature carry out the work. The first planting phase ended in February 2026 with more than 20,000 trees and shrubs in the ground; another began in October, focused mainly on S’Alqueria Vella. The overall target is more than 40,000 plants.

The young plants come from the Menut forest nursery in Escorca, grown from local seeds collected nearby. Plans through 2028 include looking after and adding variety to replanted areas and restoring coastal habitats. Schools, social organisations and the tourism sector also take part in education and volunteering activities.

Topics: Environment · Artà · Santa Margalida · Escorca

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com