Tenerife Reports Surge in Public Participation for Environmental Conservation

Tenerife’s 2025 Activity Report from the Island Office for Environmental Participation and Volunteering (Opvam) highlights a major shift in how the island manages its environment: public involvement is no longer just a side project, but a core part of government policy. According to the Island Council (Cabildo), 12,976 people took part in environmental efforts last year, proving that the 2022-2026 Action Plan is successfully building a model of participatory governance.

This success is measured by how well the administration coordinates a complex network of support. Last year, Opvam managed 58 projects and 428 specific interventions, working with 216 different organizations and answering 733 citizen inquiries. Sustainability has also moved beyond government offices and into the business world, with 27 companies joining corporate volunteering programs and involving over 1,000 employees in environmental protection.

The impact of this strategy is clear in the island’s biodiversity conservation. Most notably, a rescue operation for Cory’s shearwaters saw a 96% success rate, with 2,635 birds recovered and released. These efforts are supported by a busy schedule of reforestation, the removal of invasive species, and the protection of high-value ecological areas. Additionally, the "Reconnect with the Tide" initiative brought together over 1,000 volunteers for coordinated action across 26 municipalities.

Blanca Pérez, the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, believes these results prove that a structured plan works. She notes that citizen participation is not only essential for environmental management but also a vital tool for building resilience against climate change. The challenge for the island now is to keep this momentum going, ensuring that the partnership between the private sector, the government, and the public remains the standard for protecting Tenerife’s future.