Camp Altiplano – Self-Sufficient Restoration Camp & Agroforestry Hub in Murcia’s Semi-Arid High Plains

About this land node

Overview

Project Vision

Create a healthy, resilient regional ecosystem with mosaics of productive, biodiverse farms and a regenerated economy

Project Purpose

The camp regenerates degraded land through hands-on ecological restoration and builds capacity for long-term environmental, economic and social resilience, serving as a living laboratory and community hub demonstrating regenerative agriculture and restoration.

Project Title

Camp Altiplano

Political Location

Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, Spain

Ecology & biodiversity

Flora & Fauna

Iberian wolf, roe deer, red deer, peregrine falcon, red fox, wild boar, European wild cat, Eurasian badger, small-spotted genet, golden eagle, griffon vulture, Caspian turtle, Iberian emerald lizard

Keystone species

Iberian wolf (apex predator)

Biodiversity context

Semi-arid steppe recovering through restoration; part of South Mediterranean mixed woodlands & forests biome

Ecological corridors

Part of a regional restoration network connecting semi-arid high plains to Mediterranean forests

Natural boundaries

Situated on a semi-arid plateau bounded by swales and contour berms; part of the Altiplano highland.

Ecosystem unity

The site unites Mediterranean woodland fragments and reforested patches within a dry plateau, re-establishing habitat and hydrological function across the landscape.

Climate & water

Climate Zones

Cold semi-arid (BSk)

Rainfall patterns

Most rain falls between October and May; summers are extremely dry

Average Rainfall

≈230 mm per year

Temperature Extremes

0°C to 40°C

Average Temperature

15–20°C

Watershed

Small catchments feed swales and ponds on the property; water retention structures slow runoff

Aquifers & groundwater

Underlying aquifers are limited; water is harvested via ponds and rain capture

Nearby water bodies

On-site ponds and wetlands provide the main water bodies

Land & terrain

Elevation & slope

≈1,200 m elevation; gently rolling high plain

Landforms

Semi-arid plateau with swales and berms

Soil Types

Compact silty clay soils degraded by decades of wheat farming

Soil health

Organic matter is increasing through multi-strata agroforestry, mulching and grazing exclusion

Erosion risk

High erosion risk from bare soils; mitigated through contour earthworks and vegetation cover

Natural resources

Clay soils, sunlight, native seed bank

Renewable resource potential

Solar energy potential, biomass from agroforestry, water retention structures

People & history

Land Acknowledgements

Acknowledges traditional Spanish farmers and shepherds

Traditional ecological knowledge

Integrates ancient terracing, water harvesting and pastoral knowledge

Human Cultures

Local farmers and global volunteers collaborate on land restoration and share agroecological knowledge.

Cultural landscapes

Former wheat fields now diversified with agroforestry, swales, composting sites and volunteer camps

Recent land history

Land was degraded by deforestation, industrial agriculture and water exploitation; now under active regeneration

Regenerative practice

Regenerative Focus

Agroforestry, water retention, tree planting, composting, soil restoration, regenerative entrepreneurialism, erosion prevention, food planting, community building, restoration holidays and natural building

Regenerative Methodologies

Regenerative agriculture, reforestation and native forest restoration

Environmental objectives

Restore degraded land, increase biodiversity, improve soil health and build ecosystem resilience through regenerative agriculture and native reforestation

Community objectives

Create local employment, reduce rural-to-urban migration, engage global volunteers and strengthen regional collaboration

Community engagement

Employment for locals, collaboration with the Alvelal collective and global volunteers; knowledge exchange programs

Economic Model

Donations, ecotourism, educational courses and crop sales

Impact

Expressed Impact

More than 2,000 volunteers have participated; 20,000 native trees and bushes planted with ~70% survival; first regenerative almonds harvested in 2022 and ponds now host frogs and dragonflies

Key impact metrics

Hectares restored, volunteers engaged, native trees planted (with survival rate), and ecosystem indicators

Visiting & links

Nearest urban centres

4 km west of El Moralejo; 100 km west of Murcia

Website

https://www.ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org/community/camp-altiplano-spain/

Social media

https://www.instagram.com/camp.altiplano

Connections

Shared practice

Nearby