On 25 November, we lost our colleague Cristina Gallardo Gómez, an environmental ranger of the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain. She sadly passed away in a tragic accident while she was carrying out conservation work in the area of Cala de Moraira, Marina Alta. Cristina died in the line of duty, true to her unwavering commitment to protecting the natural heritage.
Cristina was a member of the High-Altitude Intervention Group (GIA), a specialised unit that works in hard-to-access terrain, where exceptional technical preparation, courage and environmental sensitivity are essential. At the time of the accident, she was working on a rocky cliff to help conserve Silene of Ifach (Silene hifacensis), a unique cliff-dwelling plant found only in northern Alicante. Her work formed part of long-term efforts to monitor, census and restore this threatened species – an effort that requires precision, expertise and deep vocation.
But Cristina was much more than the uniform she wore: a biologist by training, a former wildland firefighter and, in recent years, a ranger. She dedicated her entire professional life to protecting nature and those who depend on it. Her career was marked by infectious energy, profound ecological knowledge and limitless generosity towards her colleagues and the society she served.
Within the GIA, Cristina was a constant presence:
– Descending into caves and chasms to study rare plant and animal species.
– Supporting the recovery of threatened birds by installing nest boxes or tagging Bonelli’s eagle chicks.
– Removing climbing routes that damaged endemic flora or interfered with nesting sites.
– Taking part in monitoring, restoration and surveillance work on technically demanding cliff faces.
Cristina belonged to a corps of more than 6000 environmental rangers in Spain who work every day to protect our natural areas, facing risks that often go unnoticed. Her passing reminds us of the importance – and the cost – of this essential public service. It also underscores the need to continue strengthening safety measures in high-altitude operations, especially as weather conditions become increasingly unpredictable.
Today, as her family receives the support and affection of colleagues and authorities, those who knew her understand that her legacy will endure. Each spring, when the Silene blooms again on the cliffs of the Ifach, her spirit will live on in those landscapes she loved so deeply and to which she dedicated her life.
Cristina Gallardo Gómez
Guardian of the Mediterranean.
Colleague.
Friend.
Ranger.
We will never forget you.