Belleuropa
The Belleuropa Award was created by leading environmental figure Giuseppe NATTA. The award is intended to recognize the value of carefully managed natural habitats and their managers’ efforts in improving the rural landscape and enhancing biodiversity. It promotes sustainable business models based around the creation of new kinds of rural tourism, the promotion of regional or traditional low-impact products, or by harnessing the environmental and historical assets of the territory.
Each year, the Belleuropa Award honours a member of the Wildlife Estates Label Network for the exceptional work that they have undertaken in maintaining, protecting, and improving Biodiversity.
Belleuropa Award 2026 Honours German Gamazo for El Cristo and Valdecasillas Estate
The winner of the 2026 Belleuropa Award is German Gamazo for the exceptional management of El Cristo and Valdecasillas wildlife estates labels in Spain. Covering 3,500 hectares, the estates are remarkable examples of the harmonious balance between traditional land use, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation.
The landscapes are characterized by extensive pasturelands dotted with centuries-old holm oaks, alongside cork oaks and pedunculate oaks, as well as areas of mature Mediterranean vegetation featuring numerous ancient strawberry trees. This rich natural environment supports a diverse range of habitats and wildlife.
Around 760 hectares are dedicated to arable farming under a three-year crop rotation system, while free-ranging cattle and Iberian pigs graze on pastures sown with traditional crops such as oats, peas, vetch, wheat, and barley. The estates also supports sustainable game management, with deer and wild boar hunting carried out across approximately 2,800 hectares.
Through its careful stewardship of natural resources and commitment to sustainable rural management, El Cristo and Valdecasillas Estates stands as an outstanding model of conservation, productivity, and respect for the land.
Contact
delphine.dupeux@elo.orgPrevious winners
| 2026 | Spain | El Cristo and Valdecasillas Estate | |
| 2025 | Sweden | Eriksberg Castle | Link |
| 2024 | Belgium | The MOHA Quarry, operated by Carmeuse SA | Link |
| 2022 | Germany | Günther Graf von derschulenburg / forestry business in Kaiserwinkel | Link |
| 2022 | Germany | Günther Graf von derschulenburg / forestry business in Kaiserwinkel | Link |
| 2019 | Italy | Val Belviso | |
| 2018 | Spain | La Ronca | |
| 2017 | The Netherlands | De Hoge Veluwe National Park | Link |
| 2016 | Germany | Land- und Forstbetrieb Rixdorf | Link |
| 2015 | France | Le Bois Landry Estate | Link |
| 2014 | Belgium | Domain de Graux | Link |
| 2013 | Poland | Babinek Estate |
