Visitor’s Guide - Ecological Reserve-Dunas de Marbella

The coast of Marbella has always been considered one of the most beautiful environments on the entire coast of Malaga, embellished as it is with an especially rich background of natural resources and accompanied by a diverse heritage treasured throughout history as a reflection of the evolution of different Cultures and events.

This set of natural and cultural values remained almost untouched, with little degradation, until well into the twentieth century. Then in the sixties, the discovery by tourism of the charms of this land brought about a change to the welfare of the entire coastal area. It went from traditional agriculture, livestock, fishing or hunting activities to a town planning which would generate greater economic benefits for landowners and developers.

The development of sprawling urban development and the absence of adequate legislation, in addition to the lack of a vision of the future by politicians and technical staff alike, made it possible to carry out a massive occupation of the coast, with the inevitable effect on many of those values ​​that had made the Malaga coastline unique. Thus, the extensive beaches that once reached from Marbella to the boundary with Mijas, were gradually reduced to small sections, separated from each other and overwhelmed by nearby construction, and the pressure of thousands of visitors and their vehicles.

It was the determination of a nucleus of residents of these dunes, mostly grouped together in the Produnas Association, which promoted a decisive and combative support for the conservation of these small remaining dune. They convinced the Town Council and subsequently attained the support of the Junta de Andalucía (the Government of the Autonomous Region of Andalucía), and got it declared an Ecological Reserve thus under the protection of Law 8/2003 of October 28, on 18^th September, 2015. Since then, the Technical Plan of the area has been developed with greater or lesser luck (and budget). This TP establishes what has to be done to effectively achieve the conservation and improvement of the values ​​preserved in the area for the enjoyment and the enlightenment of the local population and the visitors.

In order to disseminate and report on these values ​​to a wider audience, the opportunity to put together a small Guide was considered. The idea was to collect the most significant data of the reality of the Ecological Reserve, which would then serve as a rallying point emphasising the reality of these beautiful areas of our coastline, boosting the will for its conservation and protection. This is how the content of this book has been designed. Together with the most significant data on their biodiversity and cultural resources, suggestions as to places to visit are also incorporated to help one get to know each and every one of the protected dune units, on very different moments in their development and how they are used by the various people involved.

Thus, with an individualised view of each of the dunes and the support of photographic material, their individual values ​​are displayed, with identification of the existing resources and their location.

This initial objective of dissemination and information is complemented by the deepest of awareness of the attempt to achieve both social and institutional support for the Ecological Reserve; unfortunately, the Declaration does not necessarily imply success in its conservation. This requires permanent collaboration between the institutions (Marbella Town Hall, Coastal Demarcation and Territorial Delegation of Environment) and the Produnas Association as the main supporter of their protection, together with the various groups whose interests are affected by the Declaration (especially Communities of Owners and Business Associations); this is the only way that the dangers which continue to threaten the Ecological Reserve can be reversed and the sustainability of these small natural jewels and their enjoyment by the people of Marbella and visitors alike can be safegu

GRATITUDE

We dedicate this Visitor’s Guide to our faithful partners and supporters; to the countless volunteers and participants who always come to help us with the dune conservation work; to the schoolchildren who have sponsored a dune environment and taken care of it during the school year; to researchers and professors from the University of Malaga’s multiple disciplines in the fields of Conservation Biology; to university students, who came to visit us from other Communities and even from Michigan (USA); to Marbella Town Hall and its Environment Delegation; to the Ministry of the Environment and to the Demarcation of Coasts – for the Mediterranean Coast of Andalusia.

Everyone has taken part in one way or another, supporting ProDunas. In all these years we have learned to love and respect the enormous Natural Heritage that exists on the coast of Marbella; we have been enriched by getting to know the beautiful biodiversity of the flora and fauna that exist in the different dune ecosystems between Marbella East and Cabopino and we have been captivated forever.

We intend with this Visitor’s Guide, that others follow in our footsteps to ensure that this valuable Natural Dune Heritage is never lost.

We are still giving away copies of the “Visitors’ Guide” to accompany walks through the dunes of the Ecological Reserve-Dunes of Marbella.

Remember, you can get a copy both in the Tourist Offices of Marbella and San Pedro as well as from ProDunas directly > link: https://produnas.org/en/contact.
We have copies in Spanish, English and German.

It is an enjoyable read and it helps you get to know the different dune ecosystems.