The LIFE+ARCOS project on Helgueras beach (Noja) will continue to do dune system conservation work from the Directorate-General of Forestry and Nature Conservation (currently the Directorate-General of Natural Environment) of the Regional Ministry of Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Cantabria, which was already being carried out within the Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Marshes Natural Park.
As stated by the new Noja mayor, Miguel Ángel Ruíz Lavín , and his councillors, the director of the Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Marshes Natural Park of the Directorate-General of Natural Environment of the Regional Ministry of Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Cantabria (collaborating member of LIFE+ARCOS), Ms Lourdes González Azpiri at the meeting held on 6 August at the Council of Noja.
Attendees received a thematic portfolio on the LIFE+ARCOS subject “Conserving Cantabrian Dunes” and learned about the scope of action and activities to be carried out on Helgueras Beach through 2018.
The activities planned within the project (closing the dunes with wood posts and marine rope, eradicating invasive species and planting dune vegetation as main activities) are relevant to maintain the structure and dynamic of the dune system of Helgueras beach. During the presentation, the mayor expressed his interest in reading detailed information about the beach.
During the meeting, we talked about the car park problem on Noja’s beaches. We talked about carrying out an activity to mark off an area visitors currently use to park and talked about possible solutions for the municipality during the summer. These potential activities need to be evaluated and studied.
We also talked about the importance of ensuring dune structure maintenance in an area of the Helgueras dunes that shows signs of erosion. We focused on the importance of mechanical cleaning with a tractor (responsibility of the Council of Noja) on Helgueras and Ris beaches with enough distance from the front of the dune systems to ensure their conservation.
Mayor Miguel Ángel Ruiz set up a new meeting to talk about different aspects of this Natural Protected Area after summer.