How a retired Spanish farmer is restoring his region

In this Ecosia-sponsored video, we meet Manuel, a retired, 66-year-old Spanish farmer, who is on a mission to restore the landscapes he grew up in.

Having travelled all over the world learning about regenerative agriculture while still working, Manuel now plants trees, not for himself, but for future generations, remembering how rich the terrain of his home region once was. He feels it’s his turn to give back to nature, and to those coming after him.

Spain is home to 54% of Europe’s plant and animal species and it produces 12% of Europe’s fruits and vegetables. Europe’s food security is directly linked to Spain’s soil and water resources. Yet the country is quickly desertifying, thanks to deforestation driven by destructive monoculture agricultural practices, which have stripped the soil of its nutrients.

Regenerative agricultural practices focus on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle, enhancing ecosystem services, supporting bio-sequestration, increasing resilience to climate change and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil.

Ecosia is the search engine that plants trees. You can learn more about Ecosia’s tree-planting project in Spain by clicking here.

View the original video here.

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