Butterfly Garden in Formentera

Protecting Biodiversity

Formentera, 19 October 2025

Formentera took an important step in preserving its natural environment with the creation of its first butterfly garden. The inauguration day, held last Saturday at the Ses Eufabietes estate, brought together fifteen volunteers committed to the island’s ecological regeneration. The activity took place as part of the Agroturismo Cas Majoral agricultural project and was supported by the ferry company Trasmapi, which helped with the event’s logistics.

Thanks to the efforts of IbizaPreservation and the association A Regenerar, the new space is conceived as a sanctuary for butterflies and other pollinators—species that are essential for environmental balance. During the planting day, hundreds of aromatic and nutritional plants were sown, carefully selected for their ecological value.

This collective effort symbolized the shared commitment of organizations, volunteers, and local businesses who are investing in a greener and more sustainable future for Formentera. The event was not only an environmental action, but also a gesture aimed at raising public awareness.

Through this kind of project, the participating organizations aim to foster a stronger connection between the community and nature, while also addressing the alarming decline of pollinators in the Pityusic Islands. This new natural space is part of a broader plan for ecological restoration and environmental education, with the goal of strengthening local biodiversity and serving as a model for future sustainable initiatives on the island.

A Habitat Designed for Butterflies

The Formentera butterfly garden was designed by Rodrigo Vargas and Maria del Mar Zamora from the collective A Regenerar. Its shape, inspired by butterfly wings, symbolizes the rebirth of biodiversity on the island. In total, around 500 plant species were planted during the event, including rosemary, lavender, thyme, fennel, and parsley — all chosen for their ability to attract pollinators.
The garden is part of the Butterflies for Biodiversity project, promoted by IbizaPreservation through the Ibiza and Formentera Produce program, which is already developing three similar gardens in Ibiza. The initiative draws inspiration from Regenerating Butterflies, a project created by conservationist Astrid Vargas, which promotes the creation of living gardens as tools for education and ecological restoration.

The Alarming Loss of Pollinators

According to data from the IbizaPreservation Sustainability Observatory, butterfly populations in the Pityusic Islands may have declined by as much as 59% over the past three years. This drop, linked to habitat loss and pesticide use, threatens the pollination of many crops and wild plants.

Jordi Salewski, coordinator of Ibiza and Formentera Produce, emphasized the urgent need for action to reverse this trend. “These spaces not only help recover key species like butterflies, but also raise awareness about the importance of protecting our biodiversity,” he explained.

More than 400 Trees to Be Planted

Alongside the butterfly garden, IbizaPreservation launched a rural reforestation project with the planting of more than 400 trees — including olive and carob trees — on the farms of Ses Eufabietes and Can Platé, in Sant Francesc. These plantings were carried out with the support of local farmers and are part of an agroforestry model that combines trees, grazing, and crops.

The olive trees are intended to help revive local olive oil production, while the carob trees improve soil fertility and offer shelter to local wildlife. This project is supported by Living Formentera, an international initiative aiming to increase green coverage by 22% over the next twenty years, reduce urban temperatures, and improve air and water quality.

Towards a Sustainable Future

Inma Saranova, director of IbizaPreservation, highlighted that the goal of these actions is to improve the health of agricultural ecosystems and contribute to the fight against climate change. For his part, Jordi Salewski emphasized the importance of collaboration with the farming sector to preserve the landscape and ensure a sustainable model for Formentera.

With projects like the butterfly garden and rural reforestation, the island is moving toward a greener, more resilient, and more conscious future — a clear example of how the alliance between nature, community, and sustainability can transform the land and protect its environmental heritage.