# Valencian Albufera restoration and biosphere push > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/valencian-albufera-restoration-initiative > Updated: 2026-07-29T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 4. In early July 2026 the Valencian regional government launched the “40 actions for l’Albufera” programme, a €26 million effort to improve biodiversity, clean wastewater inputs and restore habitats in the lagoon’s 40th anniversary year. The Generalitat Valenciana then assumed the presidency of EUROPARC‑España and named Carles Borràs Pla as its president. The park director outlined an integrated recovery roadmap that expands the focus to basin‑wide water‑quality improvements, macrophyte meadow restoration and coordinated land‑use management among agriculture, urban development and conservation. Cultural activities, such as an IVAM exhibition revisiting historic photography of the Albufera, underscored the link between artistic heritage and ecological stewardship. On 10 July 2026 the Scientific Council of Spain’s Man and the Biosphere programme issued a favourable technical report recommending the Albufera de Valencia for UNESCO biosphere reserve status. The panel praised the wetland’s unique Mediterranean ecosystem, historic agricultural landscape and peri‑urban setting, and called for a management plan with clear indicators, timelines, economic forecasts and governance structures. More than 250 representatives of local administrations, universities, research institutes, farmers, fishers and NGOs participated in the candidacy process. Valencia’s City Council will incorporate the panel’s recommendations, complete the required dossier and submit it to UNESCO, aiming to make the Albufera a reference peri‑urban biosphere reserve and a model for integrated territory management and sustainable development. Later in July, the Institut Valencià d'Art Modern opened the exhibition “La Albufera”, running through 18 October 2026. The show juxtaposes 1985 photographs with contemporary works by artists such as Bleda, Rosa and Paula García‑Masedo, exploring the wetland’s natural beauty and the pressures of commercialisation. Simultaneously, the EU‑funded Flowsafe project, coordinated by the CSIC, began field trials in the Albufera. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-29: Albufera in Valencia hosts art exhibit and flood‑contamination study Valencia’s Albufera hosts a multi‑artist exhibition on its wetlands while serving as a pilot site for the EU‑funded Flowsafe project that aims to cut flood‑related contaminants by 80% using bioremediation, sens 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albufera-in-valencia-hosts-art-exhibit-and-floodcontamination-study ### 2026-07-11: Valencian Government Heads EUROPARC‑España as Albufera Restoration Plan Unveiled Valencian authorities appointed Carles Borràs as president of EUROPARC‑España and the new Albufera director presented a basin‑wide restoration plan to improve water quality and ecosystem health. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/valencian-government-heads-europarcespaa-as-albufera-restoration-plan-unveiled ### 2026-07-10: UNESCO scientific panel backs Valencia’s Albufera for biosphere reserve status UNESCO’s scientific council endorsed the Albufera de Valencia wetland, noting its ecological and cultural value and urging a robust management plan before final UNESCO submission. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unesco-scientific-panel-backs-valencias-albufera-for-biosphere-reserve-status ### 2026-07-07: Valencian government unveils 40‑action plan for Albufera as IVAM launches new Albufera exhibition Valencia launches a 40‑action plan to protect the Albufera lagoon, while IVAM opens an exhibition revisiting the 1985 Albufera photography project, highlighting ecological and cultural issues. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/valencian-government-unveils-40action-plan-for-albufera-as-ivam-launches-new-albufera-exhibition --- Cite as: Valencian Albufera restoration and biosphere push. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/valencian-albufera-restoration-initiative