Ence – Energía y Celulosa continues to improve the forest environment of the archaeological site of Cerro de la Mina, in Aracena, an Asset of Cultural Interest located in the ‘Los Barrancos’ farm, owned by the company. It is a task that Ence carries out in coordination with the direction of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park and in accordance with the demanding forest management criteria to which the company is committed.
Specifically, Ence carries out forestry work on some five hectares to increase the biodiversity and naturalization with native species. It is in the environment of the trail that ends in the unique historical Celtiberian enclave next to the village of Castañuelo and which is part of the trails offered as equipment for public use by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Junta de Andalucía, after Ence gave way to the public to his farm in 2012.
Some of these actions aimed at improving the environment are the planting of more than 200 feet of leafy species typical of the area such as cork oaks and holm oaks, as well as protection and improvement of natural regeneration that occurs under the cultivation of eucalyptus, and others such as the management of local grazing, for the protection of the regenerate and the prevention of fires by natural fuel reduction.
‘Los Barrancos’ farm is an example of sustainable forest management carried out by Ence in all his estate. In this wood cultivation coexists with one of the best preserved dehesas of the Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, with species of riverside birds protected, and with the valuable archaeological remains of the Huelva protohistoric culture, as well as with other fundamental socioeconomic elements for the environment such as grazing, beekeeping, corkage or rural tourism.
In this way, the company follows up on one of the most important objectives of its policy of Sustainability: the real link to local communities and the proactive influence on the improvement and social and economic transformation of the environment of its operations. Ence takes care of the creation, maintenance and development of forest areas, improving their productive capacity, maintaining environmental values and improving surrounding areas.
The company manages almost 66,000 ha in Spain. of which 70% is used for the production of wood for cellulose and biomass extraction for energy, and 23%, around 14,800 hectares, to the protection and conservation of ecosystems.
Ence’s forest heritage in Spain is certified with one of the standards most advanced international organizations in forest management and traceability and chain of custody, such as PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council® with license number FSC-C081854) by more than 85%.
