Es Carnatge: Millions for paths and lighting — is that enough for real nature conservation?

Es Carnatge in the balance: upgrading between jogging loops and the runway

On a windy morning, when the smell of saltwater mixes with the scent of freshly cut grass from Ciudad Jardín and the airport engines drone like a distant metronome, Es Carnatge reveals its double nature: a popular open space for early risers and plane-spotters, and at the same time a sensitive coastal biotope. Palma has now approved the first construction phase, as reported by Mallorca-Magic – just under €2.2 million for paths, lighting and initial ecological measures. The key question remains: Is the money – and above all the planning – enough to protect Es Carnatge in the long term?

Two phases, many expectations

The project is divided into two major stages: first ecological restoration and a revised path network, later seabed cleaning around the former military area and further structural adjustments. On paper that sounds sensible: give native plants space, push back invasive species, fill potholes on the Camí. In practice, timing and sequence often decide success or failure – and that is often overlooked in public debate. For example, if paths are renewed before fences and protected strips are properly established, that can attract more through-traffic to sensitive spots.

More light – but how?

Over a hundred new light points are planned, with lighting costs of around €156,000. City spokesperson Belén Soto calls it a “sensible modernization.” A nice phrase. But what does that concretely mean for birds, bats and insects? In the evenings there is already a buzz and rustle, spotters photograph the landing approach, and runner Maria from Ciudad Jardín greets the seagulls every morning. The wrong choice of lamps – too bright, too cold, unnecessarily spilling light in all directions – can upset this balance, as explained in RSPB guidance on light pollution and wildlife. The question is not only whether lights are installed, but which technology and operating hours are chosen.

What is planned – and what is often missing

Planned measures include new surfaces on the Camí de Establecedores, Camí de Can Pastilla and Calle Dentol, improved drainage, wooden fences, markings of sensitive areas, benches and bike racks. Such measures are visible: potholes disappear, the morning round becomes more pleasant. But visible is not automatically sustainable. Maintenance plans for the following years are the critical point. Who will regularly remove invasive plants like the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima invasive species profile (CABI))? Who will replace damaged fences when tarpaulins or vandalism occur? The city mentions maintenance concepts for the coming years – but remains vague on questions of financing and responsibility.

Four often underestimated problem areas

Public discussion usually misses four aspects: first, the impacts of seabed cleaning on benthic organisms; second, long-term funding for maintenance; third, the selection of wildlife-friendly lighting technology; fourth, the genuine involvement of local users. Keywords: temporary disturbance of seagrass beds during seabed cleaning (see IUCN on seagrass threats and conservation), follow-up costs after grant funds expire, need for dark and warm-toned lamps, and participatory maintenance agreements with neighborhood groups. Without clear answers, investments risk delivering mainly aesthetic improvements while ecology falls by the wayside.

Concrete proposals for sustainable success

To use the €2.2 million sustainably, I propose four pragmatic steps: 1) Require a dark-sky certification in the lighting tender, such as the International Dark-Sky Association lighting guidelines, use dimmable, warm-white LEDs and define clearly regulated switch-on times; 2) Create a small maintenance fund from a share of ITS funds, with transparent spending criteria for fence repairs, replanting and invasive species control; 3) Establish citizen stewardship for path sections – city, neighborhood associations and local NGOs sharing responsibility and monitoring; 4) Carry out seabed cleaning cautiously, accompanied by biological baseline and follow-up studies by university teams so that short-term interventions do not cause long-term damage.

Participation instead of bureaucratic cartography

You can draw paths and benches on a plan, but paths also arise from habit: where people walk, footpaths form. That is why on-site exchange rounds are needed – for example an evening walk with scientists, joggers, birdwatchers and representatives from Can Pastilla and Cala Gamba. Such conversations can bring simple solutions: temporary closures during bird protection periods, signs with behavioral rules or stewardship for litter removal. If people use the same morning route that a lark uses in the evening, planning must be sensitive and flexible.

Looking ahead: opportunities – and duties

Es Carnatge stretches from Cala Gamba to Can Pastilla – a coastal strip many residents use daily. The upgrade can be a gain: safer paths, clearer access points and the restoration of native plants. But for a short-term beautification to become real nature conservation, Palma must now provide answers: on permanent funding, wildlife-friendly lighting technology, species-safe procedures for seabed cleaning and the involvement of the local community. If these points remain unanswered, there is a risk that a lot of money will be spent – and nature will still be left behind.

Those who jog the Camí in the morning or watch the landing approach through a telescope in the evening will feel the changes first: firmer paths, new benches, perhaps even more bird song. The challenge is to ensure these improvements bring lasting benefits for people and nature. The excavators may roll – but not so loudly that they drown out conservation concerns.