The Minister of the Environment, Cristina Narbona, presided over the awards ceremony of the “I contest for the increase of biodiversity”, organized by the Ministry of the Environment, the Biodiversity Foundation and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) this morning in Madrid. During this event, Cristina Narbona was accompanied by the president of the FEMP, Pedro Castro.

This competition aims to finance the best projects proposed to harmonize conservation and sustainability policies aimed at increasing biodiversity. In particular, the aim is to encourage the conservation of biodiversity in rural areas.

This competition, which is held annually, is aimed at City Councils, Provincial Councils, Island Councils and Island Councils belonging to the FEMP and that are members of the Network of Local Governments + Biodiversity 2010. This Network, which is a Section of the FEMP, is aimed at promoting local policies for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, the conservation of natural heritage and the promotion of rural development with sustainability criteria. The interested institutions have presented those projects that are being carried out in their territory, aimed at increasing biological diversity.

The contest is divided into two categories: A) City Councils and B) Provincial Councils, Councils and Island Councils. The winning projects, three in category A and two in category B, will receive funding of nearly 200,000 euros. Thus, in category A, the winners were the project “Inbios”: increase of biodiversity in the Salburua wetlands”, by the Center for Environmental Studies of the City of Vitoria-Gasteiz. The project for the restoration of degraded areas to recover their natural and landscape values and especially as a habitat for the species of land snail (Iberus gualtieranus), of the Jaén City Council. And the project for the recovery of cultivated and wild biodiversity in the area of the Arribes de Duero Natural Park on its Salamanca side, of the Vilvestre City Council.

In category B, corresponding to Provincial Councils, Councils and Island Councils, the Provincial Council of Palencia has been awarded for the actions to improve the habitat for the otter in the Palencia Cerrato; and to the Provincial Council of Jaén for the project for the conservation of endangered species in urban environments in the province of Jaén.

Ten projects have also deserved positive consideration from the jury. Within category A, the City Council of Galapagar has been awarded for the project to recover natural areas in the surroundings of the old Molino de la Navata. The City Council of Granollers for the rehabilitation of river environments in the Congost river for the recovery of biodiversity. The City Council of Truchas for the participatory project, more biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystems of the headwaters of the Eria River. The Monleras City Council for the secondary wastewater treatment system in Monleras.

The project for the comprehensive protection of flora, vegetation and priority habitats in the municipality of Enguídanos (Cuenca), of the Enguídanos City Council, is also recognized. The project “Helping biodiversity in the Mena Valley”, of the Valle de Mena City Council. The project to recover the biodiversity of amphibians in the Llobregat Delta, of the Prat de Llobregat City Council. The project to restore the dune ecosystem of the beaches of Panxón and Playa América Nigrán (Pontevedra), of the Council of Nigrán. And the creation of a Mediterranean park for the increase of biodiversity in Extremadura, by the City Council of Miajadas.

The Barcelona Provincial Council has also received this recognition, within category B, for the project “Habitat management in Bonelli’s eagle hunting areas in Garraf Park: recovery of crops, pastures, water points, open spaces and silvicultural improvement”.

The “I Competition of projects for the increase of Biodiversity” is part of the agreements signed between the Biodiversity Foundation, the Ministry of the Environment and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. Thus, in October 2006 the Ministry of the Environment and the FEMP signed an agreement for the implementation of a Common Strategy for the Preservation of Biodiversity, with the aim of promoting the development of a set of actions necessary for a balanced integration of social, economic and environmental factors aimed at achieving a sustainable use of resources and the preservation of biodiversity in the field of Local Administrations.

For their part, the Biodiversity Foundation and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, FEMP, signed a collaboration agreement in December 2006 for the creation of the Network of Local Governments + Biodiversity 2010 and the implementation of the competition for incentives to increase biodiversity among the members of the Network.