Eight natural parks in the Valencian Community, including Sierra de Espadán, currently lack directors. The absence of leadership is raising concerns as wildfires and climate risks intensify. Calls for urgent action are growing.
Eight of the 22 natural parks managed by the Generalitat Valenciana are currently operating without a director, including the Sierra de Espadán, which is now facing a major wildfire. The regional government, led by the Partido Popular with parliamentary support from Vox, has not filled these key positions for years, leaving all seven parks in Castellón province without direct leadership. The fire in Sierra de Espadán began last Saturday near La Vall d’Uixó and quickly spread into the protected area, highlighting the vulnerability of these sites in the absence of dedicated management.
According to the regional environment department, five director positions remain vacant, with four of them in Castellón. In some cases, a single director is responsible for two parks, such as Desert de Les Palmes and Illes Columbretes. This arrangement has left significant gaps in oversight and coordination, especially as climate emergencies become more frequent and severe.
The issue was brought to public attention by Maria Jiménez, secretary of Organization for the PSPV in Castelló, who criticized both the previous and current administrations for failing to appoint directors. She emphasized that the lack of leadership undermines prevention, conservation, and emergency response efforts at a time when climate change is making wildfires more common and destructive. The absence of directors has forced existing staff to take on additional responsibilities, often without adequate resources or support.
The environment department, now headed by José Vicente Martínez Mut (PP), attributes the delay in appointments to difficulties in finding candidates who meet the revised requirements for the role, following changes made in the previous legislative term. While the department insists that park activities have not stopped—in fact, they claim operations in Espadán have increased—coordination has suffered. The service for natural spaces within the Directorate General of the Natural and Animal Environment has temporarily assumed management duties, but replacing retired directors has proven challenging due to the demanding criteria for the role.
During the current legislative period, the Generalitat has expanded its maintenance team in Espadán, now operating four active brigades. Additionally, a new president for the park's governing board was appointed this year. However, the process of naming new directors remains stalled, echoing delays seen under the previous PSPV and Compromís coalition, which also took over a year to fill similar vacancies.
Concerns about the management of natural parks are not unique to Valencia. In other regions, failures in oversight have led to severe consequences, such as the record wildfire in Ávila, which was linked to unauthorized machinery use and resulted in extensive damage, as reported in coverage of the Ávila wildfire incident. These cases underscore the importance of strong leadership and clear protocols in protected areas.
The current political context adds further complexity. The PP-Vox coalition has signaled intentions to open parks to more initiatives while maintaining protection, a move that has drawn criticism from conservation groups. Vox, now a parliamentary partner in Les Corts, has publicly questioned the scientific consensus on climate change, raising additional concerns about the future direction of environmental policy in the region.
For context, the Valencian Community's network of natural parks covers a diverse range of ecosystems, from coastal wetlands to mountainous forests. These areas are vital for biodiversity, tourism, and local economies. The ongoing leadership vacuum not only complicates daily management but also threatens long-term conservation goals. As climate risks escalate, the ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies like wildfires becomes increasingly critical for the safety of both natural habitats and nearby communities.
