PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
FNYH has carried out numerous projects focused on the conservation of natural heritage and on nature-based rural development in Spain. Most of these projects have targeted 3 priority areas: Western Iberia (Castilla y León and Extremadura, Spain), Green Belt of the Bay of Santander (Cantabria, Spain) and Montaña Pasiega (Cantabria and Castilla y León, Spain).
Despite being 3 distant areas, they share similar problems, such as:
- structural simplification of their agroforestry systems, related to an intensification of their use;
- lack of commitment of civil society to the conservation of natural heritage;
- presence of threatened species;
- absence of actions aimed at adapting to climate change and mitigating its consequences.
The activities included in the project are carried out by FNYH annually in the 3 priority areas. All recent conservation works undergo thorough assessment and their impacts are monitored.
OBJECTIVES
The main aim was to introduce a system of captive breeding of endangered species ahead of reinforcing populations in areas where actions have been carried out to improve conditions for the species.
Specifically, the project aimed to:
- foster cooperation with all relevant stakeholders to improve management and conservation of important sites in FNYH’s priority areas, by creating a forum to address conservation management of the area, establishing management agreements, land stewardship and the creation of reserves, which would sustain the implementation of key reparatory actions;
- ensure the conservation of endangered species through in situ and ex situ actions in FNYH's priority areas, in line with the targets of the European Green Deal, especially in the thematic areas ‘Farm to Fork’ and ‘Biodiversity and ecosystems’;
- reduce the carbon footprint of FNYH facilities, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, especially in the thematic area ‘Energy and resource efficient buildings’;
- engage and empower civil society in nature conservation through the dissemination of results and environmental education, as well as actions that involve the private sector, such as the signing of land stewardship agreements and the creation of private reserves.
RESULTS
The project has successfully achieved its main objectives and results. The tasks undertaken are part of the CB FNYH's ongoing routine work of conservation of natural heritage, which has been carried out for many years, including the After-LIFE period of various LIFE projects implemented in its 3 working areas: Western Iberia (Castilla y León and Extremadura), Montaña Pasiega (Cantabria and Castilla y León), and Green Belt of the Bay of Santander (Cantabria).
The actions that proved more challenging were those related to the reinforcement of populations of two threatened fish species, namely the European eel (Anguilla Anguilla) and the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and the implementation of the captive breeding programme for the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Although efforts were made to advance these two actions, the desired goals were not fully achieved. It is thus important to acknowledge that working with wildlife species presents inherent difficulties associated with the species themselves. Therefore, inability to attain the expected results should not be deemed as a failure or attributed solely to the CB's responsibility. Solid foundations have nevertheless been laid out to successfully develop captive breeding programmes in the short to medium term.
The project has also made a clear contribution to the 'Biodiversity and ecosystems' thematic area of the European Green Deal through the implementation of Working Packages 1 (Conservation actions) and 3 (Biodiversity monitoring and tracking actions). It has also contributed to the 'Energy and resource efficient buildings' thematic area. FNYH has in fact implemented a policy to reduce the carbon footprint of its facilities by adopting measures such as substituting electricity generation with renewable energy sources. This approach has been successfully implemented in various FNYH facilities through the installation of solar panels, resulting in a yearly reduction in consumption equivalent to 0.04 tonnes of CO₂. This initiative not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also serves as an example of energy self-consumption for the local community.
The EU grant has played a vital role in helping FNYH recover from the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The past few years have been particularly challenging for small organisations dedicated to biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and nature tourism like FNYH. This situation has been further exacerbated by high inflation rates in Spain. The received aid has provided vital support to FNYH, allowing the organisation to maintain its operational structure and avoid layoffs or suspension of its activities.
Main results achieved per Working Package encompass:
Work Package 1: conservation actions
- the creation of a new Voluntary Private Reserve in Western Iberia: La Parrilla Estate;
- drafting of a Management Plan for the La Parrilla Private Reserve;
- the release of 410 European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus);
- the release of 380 red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa);
- the liberation of 490 rock pigeons (Columbra livia) in Western Iberia, alongside the creation of two breeding nuclei;
- the construction of 10 new refuges for prey species;
- the refurbishment of 6 rabbit enclosures;
- the planting of legumes and grasses on 12 ha;
- the construction of 5 new nesting platforms for the Spanish Imperial Eagle;
- the application of silvopastoral management techniques on 640 ha;
- the planting of 1 100 seedlings, with 95 on the estate El Sestil, 330 on the estate La Parrilla and 675 on the estate El Sestil;
- the release of approximately 300 fingerlings and 40 adults of tench (Tinca tinca) in selected ponds in Western Iberia;
- enhanced management of riparian vegetation in two ponds;
- the maintenance and repair of the fencing of 9 ponds and construction of two new ones in Western Iberia;
- the construction of 2 amphibian ponds in the upper basin of the river Miera;
- The release of approximately 3 kg of eels.
Work Package 2: energy efficiency actions
- the installation of 12 new photovoltaic panels in the Ethnobotanical Centre Forests of the Green Belt-El Pendo, the Casa de la Naturaleza Wetlands of the Green Belt-Alday Marshes and the Ecomuseum-Fluviarium of the Pasiegas Mountains and River Basins.
Work Package 3: biodiversity monitoring and tracking actions
- active monitoring of 20 Black Stork nests, with 3 occupied nests, 13 empty nests and 4 fallen nests;
- individuation of 47 pairs of Black Vultures (35 successfully carried out) among the 179 monitored platforms;
- observations of 11 species of predatory raptors;
- monitoring of the populations of three key species in Mediterranean ecosystems, namely, European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and Iberian Hare (Lepus granatensis) in the Biological Reserve of Campanarios de Azaba, el Sestil and el Rual;
- consistent and durable contributions of SANDACH to the midden (Campanarios, La Parrilla and Atoquedo), with 44 497 kg distributed in a total of 336 rounds of contributions;
- organisation of 3 visits for water analysis in 21 ponds (Farms: Campanarios, El Sestil, El Rual);
- extraction of ≈700 kg of the invasive Azolla filiculoides in two ponds;
- monitoring forest plantations in the Western Iberia and Pasiega Mountain, with subsequent sampling of 10% of seedlings;
- monitoring actions in La Parrilla in application of the Management Plan as a Private Conservation Reserve.
Work Package 4: public awareness and dissemination of results
- Organisation and delivery of 6 volunteering days for 65 participants in the following areas and topics:
- El Sestil Farm (1), on planting dehesa species;
- Alto Miera (2), on construction of ponds, release of eels, cleaning of waste;
- Alday (2), on cleaning of waste;
- Somo (1), on cleaning of waste.
- creation of a branded visual identity of the project;
- 48 publications on social networks (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter);
- 3 press releases published on FNYH website;
- 7 publications in print media;
- 76 guided visits (RB Campanarios and Liérganes).
Work Package 5: project management
- hosting of 4 executive meetings;
- follow-up of actions in a specific table;
- monitoring of the project’s performance indicators.
